A New Memory
A new computer storage and
retrieval system at the U.S.
Department of Agriculture may
play an important role in
bringing us better food, fiber and
flowers in the future.
It all began when the Plant
Variety Protection Act was
enacted in 1970. Under this law,
which is similar to a patent
system, those who breed, develop
or discover novel varieties of
plants which reproduce through
seeds are provided the exclusive
rights to reproduce and sell the
seeds.
Before the PVP law was
enacted, private breeders had
been cautious about putting work
and money into developing novel
varieties, since competitors
could immediately reproduce
and sell the same varieties
without any research investment.
Now, new varieties can be
protected from exploitation by
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others. Breeders in private in
dustry have more assurance of
adequate returns on their in
vestments.
How does the computer system
fit into the picture? It is the only
known system in the world in
which descriptions of plant
varieties are being stored in a
computer for variety comparison
purposes. Pioneering in the use of
the “integrated retrieval 0
system for this purpose is Ber
nard M. Leese, Chief Examiner
of USDA’s Plant Variety
Protection Office.
Leese has been primarily
responsible for devising special
printed forms for each crop to
describe the plant characteristics
in as standard terms as possible
so that the data can be stored in
the computer’s memory bank.
But before descriptions of new
varieties are stored in the
computer, comprehensive
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GROFF EQUIPMENT
2 W. State St.
Quarry ville, Pa.
Ph. 717-786-7225
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Cochranville, Pa. 19330
Ph. 215-932-9179
reviews of available literature
must be made to obtain precise
descriptions for each known
variety for each kind of seed,
such as wheat, cotton, soybeans,
and lettuce. The reviews may
take weeks; but once the in
formation is stored in the com
puter, a printout of about 200
variety descriptions can be ob
tained from the computer in
about three minutes. An answer
to one question can be obtained in
seconds.
When a breeder applies for
protection of a novel variety, he
records the plant characteristics
on the appropriate descriptive
form. The information on the
form is then fed into a computer
and, compared with the in
formation for other similar
varieties.
As variety descriptions for the
different crops become stan
dardized, it will be easier to
determine whether a variety is
new.* When a variety is deemed
novel, certificates of protection
Iwvtmiflt phtphitt
BRANDT'S FARM
SUPPLY INC.
601 East High St.
Elizabethtown, Pa.
Ph: 717-367-1221
IVeppco Show Info
Package
A packet of “hard-to-resist”
data on the Northeastern ’73
exposition and the premier resort
in which it is being staged
Chocolatetown, U.S.A. is ready
for distribution by the Nor
theastern Poultry Producers
Council.
Geared to its theme,
“Tomorrow ... will wake you up
to the new era in agriculture”,
the kit prepared by NEPPCO will
be mailed to anyone making
inquiry about the 1973 Convention
& Exposition to be staged in this
renowned resort community
October 30 through November 1.
Preferred accommodations at
the famed Hershey Hotel and its
sister motor lodge are being
accepted on a first-come basis.
The 14-state show will feature
special seminars on the problems
just around the corner for
producers and allied in
dustrymen and will show them
how to meet these concerns with
new merchandising ideas, cost
controls, planning precision and
insight into both price ex
pectations and anticipated
government regulations. The
commercial exposition of the
latest in poultry technology and
services has been expanded to
take over the spacious Her
sheypark Arena, here.
are granted to the applicant.
Lease’s system will speed up
the process of determining
whether a variety is novel or
distinct because it eliminates a
field test used by most countries
to determine it.
Everyone can benefit from the
Leese innovation. More new
varieties should result in food,
fiber, and flowers that are more
disease and insect resistant,
reducing the amount of pesticides
needed. New varieties may also
be more drought resistant and
last longer after harvest for
shipping. Food plants may also
be more nutritious and produce
higher yields.
The computer system,
therefore, will not only facilitate
the work of examiners and
breeders. It is also good news for
farmers and consumers.
RD2, East Earl, Pa
Ph. 215-445-6865
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, September 8,1973
is Available
The fun-and-games aspect of
the highly-favored Hershey
resort area was not overlooked
by NEPPCO officials. They have
scheduled activities around the
famed arboretum, the Hershey
museum, the well-known
chocolate tour, the golf course, as
well as their own banquets,
parties and industry luncheons
within the resort hotel itself.
The free information kit con
tains an early registration form
for the show which carries
special discounts. Early
registrants can save $9 and will
be awarded preferred ac
commodations at the elegant
Hotel Hershey.
Also contained in the in
formation supplied will be hotel
reservation forms and complete
travel directions for those
arriving by air or auto.
With an expected attendance of
over 1500, NEPPCO’s quota of
rooms is sure to be filled long
before the show opens on
Tuesday, October 30.
The free information kit is
available from NEPPCO, 322
Oxford Valley Road, Fairless
Hills, Pa. 19030.
Prevent Home
Burn Accidents
One of the most painful ac
cidents in the home is a burn. And
the kitchen’s a likely place to get
one. Here are a few reminders
from Extension specialists at The
Pennsylvania State University to
help you avoid accidental burns.
A flapping curtain hanging
near the stove is a sure invitation
to fire. So are towels, wooden'
racks, cookbooks and otheij
flammables that you really
should not keep close to the
burners. When cooking, the
Extension specialists advise that
you use potholders instead of
towels for grabbing hot pans. And
make sure that pot handles are
always turned away from the
edge of the stove. This is
especially important if you have
small children around, who
might tip the pots over. And don’t
try to cook when wearing gar
ments with long, loose sleeves.
In case you have a grease fire,
use a fire extinguisher suitable
for grease fires, or use baking
soda to put it out. Never pour
water on a grease fire, remind
the Extension specialists. To
smother a fire in a frying pan,
cover the pan with a lid or throw
baking soda in the pan.
3
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