Re: hosta-open DIGEST V1 #400

Joe Asked:

<<Why does a HostaScience Journal need to publish information/articles about hosta hybridizing?  Isn't this something that the Hosta Journal should be doing!?>> 

Instead of answering that in my own words, I'll again rely on what Ed Elslager wrote in his introduction to HostaScience:

"You may be aware that recent changes in scientific policy in The Hosta Journal preclude the future publication of original scientific articles such as those published recently on hormone-induced propagation, Hosta College student research, and hybridization.  The new scientific policy, promulgated by the Editors and approved by The American Hosta Society Board of Directors, decrees that 'Original scientific papers containing extensive data from laboratory experiments are better published in a refereed archival scientific journal; however, The Hosta Journal welcomes summary papers'."

On the goals of HostaScience, Ed writes:

"The specific aims of the journal HostaScience are:
To provide rapid communication of important, relevant, and timely science-related information on hosta biology, biochemistry, cultivation, hybridization, and propagation to home gardeners, hybridizers, students, growers, nurserymen, and scientists;
To promote collaboration and the interchange of ideas and information among these investigators;
To stimulate experimentation and research by amateur and professional hosta devotees alike;
To encourage, assist, and facilitate publication of the results of these studies;
To provide a flexible modus for manuscript style and format;
To provide opportunities for peer review of science-related hosta information."

Just to clarify, Joe, the Hosta Hybridizers Group began in 1995 as a network of sharing among hosta hybridizers.  The journal HostaScience was recently started (first issue was Spring 2002) by The Hosta Hybridizers Group in response to changes in The Hosta Journal (THJ) concerning scientific articles, not due to a lack of articles on hybridization in THJ.  Therefore, it would be incorrect to characterize the journal HostaScience as a publication dedicated to hosta hybridization; that is just one of many topics to be covered.

If you have additional questions, you should probably contact one of the "official" spokespersons:
Editor:  Ed Elslager
Editorial Board:  Eddie Barrow, Clarence Owens, Charles Tuttle, Van Wade, Bill Zumbar
Consulting Editor:  Gary J. Keever, Department of Horticulture, Auburn University

--John Christensen
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