They are disposed of by them to the nearest country storekeeper, who on his part consigns them to the wholesale dealer with whom he may happen to do business. I am told by reliable informants that the drugs collected in the Red River districts seldom reach our markets except by way of New Orleans and New York, and that when they do reach us direct, they are generally inferior in quality. One of our principal wholesale drug-houses buys its supplies of indigenous drugs exclusively from a New York firm, and nearly all of the others depend upon the same firm when they cannot obtain bargains nearer home. Regarding the method of collecting and preparing the drugs for market, I can give you but little direct information. Barks should be gathered as soon after they will peel in the spring as possible, and all the moss carefully removed.
Most roots require from three to six weeks to dry sufficiently to be safe.
These circulars appear to be distributed with great circumspection among herb-gatherers and country stores throughout the Southern and Western States, and in all probability serve as a guide to the gatherers. The few gatherers with whom I have been able to converse personally, proved very slow to give information, but from their conversation I judge that they preserve their collections on the general principles above specified. Assoc. , 1870.