I. FOREWORD

The news items have been arranged alphabetically in this issue, in hopes this order will be helpful in your locating and reading; it is the arrangement used in early issues of the News Letter.

A much larger task than assembling the notes this year was the preparation of an index to the genetic symbols and cytogenetic features, for number 36 (1962) through the present issue. Hopefully the use of this aid will release more of our available information for development of refined cytogenetic maps, and will sharpen our endeavors generally. Included among items in this issue are new and considerable additions to this body of information; further data and further map clarifications are urgently needed.

For symbols, reinstatement of the numeral one for the first locus of a series appears to be widely desired. While it has not been followed consistently this year in editing notes, the numeral clarifies meanings and would be helpful to readers as future notes are written. The Symbol Index follows the practice.

Historical notes: 50 years ago (April 12, 1929) compilations of linkage data and "rainbow" maps were distributed from Cornell; the compilations are reproduced in this issue from the copy of E. G. Anderson. Archival deposits of others of E. G. Anderson's research papers, correspondence and record books (including attached-X data) have been made in the Western Historical Manuscripts Collection (Ellis Library, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211). The papers of L. J. Stadler are also on deposit in this Collection.

A pleasing announcement of the Rosenstiel Award to Barbara McClintock, forwarded by H. O. Halvorson, is shared on the following page.

Publications of interest: Maize Breeding and Genetics, D. B. Walden, ed., has been published by John Wiley & Sons, N.Y. (1978); this is the collection of papers from the 1975 Symposium in Urbana, Illinois.

About 700 copies of this issue will be sent to research workers, laboratories and libraries around the world. The costs of preparation, reproduction and mailing of this News Letter are borne by a grant from the National Science Foundation, giving us indispensable support for which we are all grateful. The year-round office workload for the News Letter is provided for by the U. S. Department of Agriculture; facilities are provided by the University of Missouri.

A microfilm of volumes 1-29 and 33 is available for $9.50 U.S.; checks should be made out to E. H. Coe, Jr.

Airmail service to addresses outside the U.S. will be provided for $3.00 if received by January 1st.

Deadline for the next issue is January 1, 1980; see inside front cover.

I appreciate the encouragement and support of M. G. Neuffer, J. B. Beckett and G. G. Doyle in planning and developing this volume; Charlene Bennett, Kim Berry, Pat Berry, Ken Bristol, Chris Browne, Marion Murray and Manh Nguyen aided in editing and proofing of copy and in bibliographic work; Mary Nelson once again applied her thorough, precise and diligent attention to composition and the production of final copy.

E. H. Coe, Jr., Geneticist, USDA; Professor of Agronomy

Curtis Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211