Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1861-04-26
GSpseng.

lhs strange plant has formed an i'm
porant part of the trade OF this seci III for
many years. 1t is unlike almost any 9th
er plant i,s a root may stay III the earth
for ye: s aud never put forth a shoot. It
grows only in the shade, and even then iii
the richest mountain covcs. As soon us
the land is cleared, it disappears At
tenlpts have oeen made to propagate it
by seed, but SO far have failed, through
an experienced Ginseng deaie-' informs us
shas he has no doubt it can be done by
adbering to the habits Of the plant as to
location.
The root of the plant is the subject Of
trade and II has in years gone by brought
nluch money into this county. IN lSUS
Dr. Isaac lcvlin, OF Philadelphia, went to
the East Indies and China, he there
this peculiar shaped root used as mirac-
ulons thin < and passing up into the noun
talns learned the plant FROM whence it
came. Returning home &c started on
horseback to explore the moUntains from
Pennsv lvanisa down. We know nothing
OF his discoveries in Virginia but he found
in Western North Carolina a soil well
adapted to the plant and also found it III
large quantities. He Immediately estab~
lished several agencies tol ite purchase
and on i,ls return to Philadelphia COM
menccd the Ginseng trade with China.
Mr. B. j. Smith, who was for many
years one Of Dr.. Uey1yns agents Informs
Us ttiat he Las bought III one year as high
as 81 l 900 worth but that the average
p wls valued ssf more than Sic, 900
ihls Is vs,ueing ii at the price it sold at
here-;tbout cents. Thc trade is now
almost insignificant as the plant is nearly
killed oof, he d d.scovery Of it in Mum .suta
has glu1ied the mai ket. The Girscng Of
Nortn Carolna, Virginia aud Kentucky
WIS c""sideied superior To any.
Ii is dug with d round sharp stick, so as
not to cut Or inj ere The roots. 4 smart
hand could once make Sl.5O d day pretty
easily. Now SO or Is CTS. would be Il
very good days work.
Ii Is sent 70 market in two ways, crude
and clarified. By clarifying il he comes
very clear. slimosf ;l5 to be seen tilInug II.
Tins process is performed by subj cling
the green root to a steaming. Af5ur il is
driei it cannot be clarified. 1t is the Gus.
tom Of the dealer to pitch ou1,all the large
and cnrl"nsy shaped roots and put them
To thenseivi as by ,hiS means a mach
higher price IS obtained.
As to IS effects: i is q st!niulant and
tonic. The Chinese ;,Scribe 20 it lpany
wonderful properties and though some Of
t!ien "iil reason, The greaeer part is mere
supcGs iiion. We believe that as q tonic
it is very superior. We have been told
that 10 smoke the clarified IL /. new clean
pipe gives 10 the system Il most delicious
feeling It is said . have all the sweet
ness aid pleasant oroprieties o: the body
enlivening and soul l-cestroying hasheesh,
with none Of IFS liellishly banet'ul effects
We have this upon the authority Of one OF
The phys; clans III North Carolina. Ii aids
digestion and leaves the stomach renewed
| in streng;! instead of weaker ed, and makes
one feel. therefore, pleasantly good narur-
cu with himself and lie rest of the world.
Taking even these things, alone, into CON
si,eraion and too, the generally shapes
of the root. and is it any wonder that the
Chinese should call it the Divine Food.
WeSte41a AdUocote.