Lee and Roy: Dr. Mark Widrlechner, who compiled the China hardiness map, is the chairman of the committee. For years, I have kept files of everyones posts about an ideal hardiness map. These ideas have all been presented to the committee. There is a lot of discussion about web customization possibilities. It is hoped that the first map will be finished by years end, but projects such as this move slowly. The next phase with all of the overlays will be a much more long term project, but one that everyone agrees is quite important. The USDA-ARS staff hase been wonderful in allowing their resouces to go to this project. Perhaps once the map is complete, the UN might find this a useful project to complete worldwide maps. I'll let everyone know when the maps are completed. At 02:48 PM 10/28/2005 -0700, you wrote: >Wow, Tony. This is fantastic to hear about. I had my own little private >"uproar" when I saw that initial AHS draft version. > >Thanks for representing all of us "silent majority" stakeholders that >never get invited to any of these government meetings that affect us. >(I'm thinking of the "importing small lots of seeds" rule-making >meetings...) Tony Avent Plant Delights Nursery @ Juniper Level Botanic Garden 9241 Sauls Road Raleigh, NC 27603 USA Minimum Winter Temps 0-5 F Maximum Summer Temps 95-105F USDA Hardiness Zone 7b email tony@plantdelights.com website http://www.plantdel.com/ phone 919 772-4794 fax 919 772-4752 "I consider every plant hardy until I have killed it myself...at least three times" - Avent