by George Buehler

Have you noticed anything different about the newsletter? I have been looking for ways to get more articles into the newsletter without using a lot more pages or to use fewer pages for the normal amount of articles- to keep the copy costs down. [If more members took the newsletter electronically that wouldn't be a problem. Hint hint]. Let me know if you like this format. I am also experimenting with different fonts, once again to conserve space. Our copy costs have gone up recently and I need to figure out how to reduce them - let alone the new proposed mailing costs! You will see a number of different formats used in this newsletter in the near future.

Get your trees ready for Yew Dell, and don't wait until Gene Sewell calls you to fi nd out if you plan on bringing trees. Surprise him and let him know in advance how many you can bring. We need about 30 or so trees to fi ll up the castle. Make sure your pots are clean, without insects, and , moss is in good condition (if you use it). We have a large number of people who attend the exhibit and we want to make a good impression. Hopefully this type of exhibit will generate interest in bonsai and that will mean more new members. Remember that after the exhibit we will have a beginner workshop on May 8, and that means we will need lots of help. Please put this date on your calendar and come to the library to help out.

I was looking for some information in some of the newsletters I receive from other bonsai editors, and as usual, I went to Bonsai by Design - Club Newsletter of the Greater Evansville Bonsai Society written by Dave Bogan. I read Dave's newsletter very carefully because he always writes basic and educational articles. He also does a lot of experimenting with different techniques and shares the results, both good and bad, with his membership (and the editors of the bonsai newsletter exchange group). I have used a number of Dave's articles in this newsletter, and I think all will agree that his articles are top notch. Dave has been writing their newsletter for over 10 years and generally each issue has 10 plus pages in them. What this brought to mind was that I am sure that a number of you do your own bonsai experimenting. I would like to publish your results - good or bad. Contact me, I will write the article - with your help. I think a lot of other club members would like to know what you are doing.

One thing that Dave 'preaches' is to pinch out the new growth in bonsai to promote ramifi cation. He periodically writes about it and obviously practices it, as those of you have seen his trees can testify. At the Dana Quattelbaum workshop, one of the things Dana mentioned several times was the need to pinch out new growth to promote ramifi cation. It is interesting that two masters promote the same techniques. Do you pinch?

We had a good turnout (not spectacular but good) on our last fi eld trip to Greg Hollander's. Greg sends his thanks to all that attended. Based on Dana Q's comments on the trees that were worked on at the workshop, we got some really nice trees. Everybody I talked to, who got a tree from Greg, was really pleased. For those that don't know, Greg joined the GLBS as a full member. Greg said he has more trees ordered and will be planting them to grow out. I'm sure he will be able to offer us some more nice trees soon. If you need directions to Greg's, let me know and I will send them to you. Make sure you contact Greg fi rst to arrange a meeting time - this is a part time job for him.