Chapter 1

The Canadian Society of Plant Physiologist/La Société Canadienne de Physiologie Végétale originated from two meetings of plant physiologists and plant biochemists that were held a year apart during the period of general reorganization that followed World War II. The first meeting was the "Colloquium on Problems of Plant Metabolism" convened by George H. Duff, Professor of Plant Physiology, at the Botany Department, University of Toronto, November 3-4, 1950. It was initially intended as a gathering limited to presentations by Drs. Duff and Dorothy Forward (Toronto), Dr. Gleb Krotkov (Queen's) and their graduate students. It was expanded, however, to include colleagues and former students at universities and government laboratories from Montreal and Ottawa to Guelph, London and beyond whom Duff though would be interested and, perhaps, able to attend. He sent invitations to colleagues in Manitoba and Alberta and one to Professor Emeritus G.W. Scarth, Botany Department, McGill University. Those from the West expressed interest and support for the idea of holding the Colloquium but all but one had to decline because of the timing and travel costs involved. Professor Scarth declined for a different reason, but he, too, hoped it would meet with success:

October 10, 1950

Dear Dr. Duff:

It was good of you to remember an oldster and ask him to join with the gang.

I never cared very much for meetings and now I don't go anywhere. So, while I think the colloquium is a good idea, just because so many are interested, it is not for me. Unless you have changed, I rather suspect that your own activity in the matter is inspired by a sense of duty rather than by inclination. All the more reason why I should wish it to meet with success.

Regards,

G.W. Scarth

The colloquium was attended by 18 and had ten contributed papers on photosynthesis, respiration, bisynthesis of labelled amino acids, and growth inhibitors. The program ended with a discussion about future colloquia. It was unanimously agreed that: (1) such meetings were desirable, (2) the next meeting should take place in one year's time at the National Research Laboratories in Ottawa, and (3) the formal organization of a society was premature. There was a division of opinion, however, on: (1) the most desirable form of organization, and (2) the merits of having the National Research Council appoint an Associate Committee to promote fundamental work in plant physiology in Canada.

Duff sent copies of the program and a report on the discussion (Appendix I) to all who had been invited and to eight other colleagues at the University of British Columbia, the University of Saskatchewan, Laval University, the NRC Atomic Energy Project, Chalk River, and the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, for information and comments.

The "Second Annual Plant Physiology Conference" was held, as planned at the National Research Laboratories, Ottawa, November 4-5, 1951. It was convened by Duff's former student, Dr. Kenneth a. Clendenning, Head of the new Plant Physiology Section, Divison of Applied Biology, National Research Laboratories. Clendenning sent invitations to all plant physiologists and plant biochemists of record throughout the country. This resulted in an attendance of 50. A total of 20 contributed papers was presented on photosynthesis, respiration, CO₂-fixation, germination, nectar secretion, secondary product metabolism, frost hardiness, growth and development, and mechanisms of herbicide action.

The Conference concluded with a business meeting at which it was agreed that: (1) research conferences on plant physiology that were national in scope should be arranged annually, and (2) formation of a small organization, preferably a research committee, was now justified.

A motion was passed that "A recommendation be submitted to the National Research Council for the formation of a National Committee on Plant Physiology and Plant Biochemistry to serve as a central organization for the promotion and correlation of fundamental and applied research, and to act as a central consulting body to advise research organizations in Canada on problems and research projects in this field."

The meeting also recommended "that a letter outlining the business transacted should be sent to interested scientists, particularly those in Western Canada and the Maritimes, for their information and comment." This was done, but not until several months later, because, shortly after the conference Clendenning resigned and went to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California. The motion about a National Committee on Plant Physiology and Plant biochemistry was submitted to the National Research Council but action was dropped when it became apparent that the requested committee would have advisory powers only, and that travel expenses could be paid only to members of the executive. Pending further discussions, NRC made a Special Activities Award of $1,000 to Dr. W.H. Cook, Director, Division of Applied Biology, National Research Laboratories, Ottawa, to help finance a Research Conference on Plant Physiology in 1952, and it was indicated that similar annual grants could be expected for future conferences. Cook named Dr. Paul R. Gorham (Clendenning's successor as Section Head) to serve as Secretary of a Conference Committee that was to be elected. The Conference Committee was to be responsible for meeting arrangements, invitations, program policies and accounts, and prepare an annual report on Cook's behalf in accordance with Council regulations.