The Journal by Dierk Neugebauer It has only been two years since I started editing The Journal - sometimes it seems much longer than that. In that time I learned a lot about publishing, and writing, ... and appealing to members for articles. Many of you have been very genereous with your talents and have passed on suitable material that has appeared in our publication over the last two years. The internet has also provided us with resources and research that has shed light on many complex topics - there was that marvellous series of horticultural articles by Paul Ringo, for example, and there have been others. Occasionally I have heard praise from you about the scope of the articles that I have managed to publish on your behalf. That praise, of course, reflects your talents and contributions: I have had the privilege of presenting your thoughts to the membership. At this time The Journal is reverting to an earlier magazine style of format, since I believe it to be more attractive and just as functional as our multi-coloured, loose leaf format of the last few years. I like the opportunity this format provides for an attractive title page that will focus, as it does in this issue, on our trees. After all, that's what bonsai is all about! This focus also provides you with the opportunity of showcasing your accomplishments and sharing them with our readers. Naturally, I look forward to your contributions, and hope that you will be more generous than ever. No doubt I will be talking to some of you soon about which tree you plan to showcase for the club. As you know, your trees are not the only subject that makes it into these pages. Here are some suggestions that would also make fitting material for our publication: if you have attended a conference or out of town workshop, we would like to hear about the particular event if you know of upcoming "bonsai related" events that might be of interest to some of our members, don't hesitate to send that information to me for publication many members work on special projects that relate to trees, their display or their health - sharing this information will inspire others there are aways problems, both large and small, to which we find solutions; share these with us if you've solved them, and ask for help when you're stumped do you have a good book on bonsai, or were you particularly impressed by one of the books in our library? If so, consider writing a review - the attached guide might be of assistance to you ... the list goes on. The following suggested outline is taken from a book review I wrote for The Journal last year and may be of use to you; it can also be applied to videotapes: Publishing Data: 1. Title 2. Author/Editor 3. Publisher 4. Year of Publication 5. ISBN Number Recommendation & Impression: 1. Why would you or would you not recommend this book or video? 2. Who is the intended audience? 3. Why do you think the book was written in the first place? 4. Is there a particular slant to the book? If so explain. 5. What do you personally like or dislike about it? Content & Summary: 1. Judging by the book's table of contents, what would you say are the main topics covered by the book? 2. How detailed is the treatment of these topics? Commentary: 1. What interest does the book create in the reader? 2. Is there anything particularly outstanding about how any of these are handled? 3. Is anything lacking? 4. Why is the book a welcome addition to our library, or why should we acquire it? 5. Why should TBS members want to look at this book? It is my hope that many of you will contribute articles, reviews, commentaries, tips, problems or solutions that others will find useful to "The Journal." Ideally you might send me your contributions via email. If that's not possible, give them to me at the next general meeting. Thank you again for your support in the past, and I look forward to working with you in the upcoming year.