The first issue of Alsterworthia International, the new journal for the Succulent Asphodelaceae, will be ready for distribution by the beginning of June 2001 at the latest.

Succulent Asphodelaceae policy is to promote and facilitate the distribution of information and views in all forms for the succulent genera of that family. The popular genera such as Haworthia, Gasteria, Astroloba, Aloe and the succulent Bulbine (rosette forms similar to haworthias and the "caudiciforms") should be featured regularly, other genera from time to time as subscribers and authors show interest. Articles will be wide-ranging and draw on habitat studies, glasshouse observations, cultivation, taxonomy, pest, predators, propagation, hybrids and cultivars etc, in fact anything of relevance to the genera of interest.

Policy objectives will be achieved by:

1. Publishing Alsterworthia International every four months. Each issues should have a minimum of 18 A4 pages (one A4 is equal to two A5) including a minimum of two pages of colour photographs. As time progresses improvements will be made to the journal.

2. With the permission of authors and publishers, distributing copies of important papers etc, which are not otherwise readily available, to subscribers.

3. Making relevant books, pamphlets etc available to subscribers.

4. Making special offers to subscribers of Alsterworthia International as the opportunity arises. The special offer for 2001 only is the reduction of the subscription to Alsterworthia International by four pounds if a copy of The Succulent Liliaceae League of America and the Haworthia Review (price ten pounds) is ordered and paid for with the subscription for 2001.

The subscription for Alsterworthia International is nine pounds for the United Kingdom, ten pounds for the European Union and, for all other countries, eleven pounds surface mail, twelve pounds air mail. Cheques for British pounds should be drawn on a UK bank and made payable to "Alsterworthia International".

Jean-Andre Audissou, 36 avenue du Stade, 17450 Fouras, France has very kindly agreed to be the honorary representative for Alsterworthia International for France. Cheques should be drawn on a French bank and made payable to Jean-Andre Audissou. The subscription is FF110.00. FF41 may be deducted from the subscription for 2001 if a copy of The Succulent Liliaceae League of America and the Haworthia Review (price FF110) is ordered and paid for when the subscription for 2001 is paid.

Particularly important for overseas subscribers, the subscription will be applied solely to the production and distribution of Alsterworthia International and any surplus from activities 2 & 3 will also be devoted to the journal. If any other activities are eventually undertaken they will be separate and self financing. However, no such other activities are contemplated at present. It is the journal which is important for an international organisation with the bulk of members overseas.

It is intended to offer an efficient service with the issue of the journal on time, the prompt despatch of publications and prompt responses to all enquiries. Subscribers who have e-mail addresses can expect to be kept informed of relevant matters by e-mail. For example, advice by e-mail when an ordered book is being despatched from the UK.

From 2002 Alsterworthia International will be published in March, July and November. Because the full force of the movement for a new journal became evident only in the Spring of 2001, the publication dates will be a little more flexible in 2001. The support for the first issue has been a welcome surprise and means that the first issue will be available in early June at the latest. The second issue is in preparation and should be available about August. The final issue for 2001 should be on time in November.

I hope that this new journal will not only be of interest to you but that you might also be able to contribute to it in some way. Even short notes can be of interest.

If you have the time to write an article of any length on any subject appropriate to the genera of the Asphodelaceae do please send it to me by file attached to e-mail, or on floppy, Zip 100 or compact disc, or typed or printed.

I hope you will find Alsterworthia International informative and enjoyable. Do please let me have your views in due course.

With very best wishes,

Harry Mays.

Editor, Alsterworthia International.

Woodsleigh, Moss Lane, St Michaels on Wyre, Preston, PR3 0TY, UK

Tel/Fax: +44 01995 679295

E-mail: HMays@freenetname.co.uk  

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