The past year as witnessed the activity of many members in affairs of the TGC. It has been the first year of actual function in the program of linkage assignments. Although one year is insufficient for a proper evaluatvion of such a system, it is heartening to note that 20 new linkages and much additional valuable information on linkage relations are reported this year. It is reasonable to expect that the next year or two will witness the establishment of the framework of all 12 groups and the discovery of good seedling markers for each.
For the first time in the history of the TGC the membership roll has dropped. As of December 31, 1957 we had 189 members including 68 members in 28 different countries. Sixteen new members were added during 1957 and 26 did not renew membership, leaving a ne loss of 10 members. It should be noted, however, that 6 new members have been enrolled during the short interval since January 1. 1958. The list of members in Part II has been revised to include these new names. We regard this trend as a process of selection of those workers who are primarily interested in TGC activities, and it is poossible that membership will stabilize at something near the present level.
In respect to finances, we started the year with a balance of $86.67 and ended with $l79.86, which should be more than adequate to tide us over 1958, when most memberships do not come up for renewal.
Following our policy of holding open meetings of the membership for airing TGC policies, and discussing activities and other business, a meeting was held at the AIBS sessions at Stanford University. The minutes of this meeting appear on page 3. In view of the unusual opportunity for attendance by foreign members presented by the International Genetics Congress in Montreal in 1958, we decided to hold a similar meeting there. Arrangements have been made by Dr. Butler for this session at 4 PM August 23 in Room 312 Physical Sciences Building, McGill University. A series of TGC exhibits on tomato genetics is being prepared by Dr. Butler and Dr. Kerr. Since the IGC meetings unfortunately conflict with those of the AIBS, we also decided to hold a meeting at the latter for the benefit of those who might not attend IGC. Dr. Barham will conduct this meeting and Dr. Stevenson has kindly agreed to serve as Local Representative, Separate notices of both meetings will be sent to members.
Statements on the history and activities of the STEP trials and the recently organized Tomato Breeders Group appear on pages 4,5,6. Inasmuch as tomato genetics constitutes a common ground of interest between these groups and the TGC, it is important that TGC members be informed about their activities. We are greatly indebted to Dr. Barham and Dr. Tomes for preparing these lucid statements. We gratefully acknowledge the willing help of the following people in preparing this report. Dora Hunt assisted with the editing and aided the TGC in many ways with the preparation. Virginia Borelli and Carolyn Warren typed the stencils.
Three hundred copies of this Report have been issued.
Coordinating Committee
W. S. Barhan C. M. Rick, Chairman
A. B. Burdick Department of Vegetable Crops
L. Butler University of California
G. B. Reynard Davis, California