Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1873-09-13
How to Gather and Prepare Sumac
for Market

How to Gather and Prepare Sumac
for Market
We quote the following letter from a
correspondent of the Country Gentle
man: -,
Red Sumac-black, sometimes called,
is the sumac of our commerce. WMte
is worthless. Here in southwest Mis-
souri,, the shrub grows without cultlva-
ton on all our prairies and glades. If
it is to be cultivated, the better way it
seems would be to get the ground IN
good fix, and plant in rows about three
feet apart each way; cultivate the first
year, and SOW the land in blue grass, as
it is of slow growth, and the turf will
help the ground TO hold moisture, and
as the snmac roots run near the surface.
they will he nOurishei till the branches
have afforded the necessary shelter.
The leaves are gathered here from the
middle of July te last of August, be-
fore they turn rcd, as after this they are
not marketable. Dry or cure in the
shade. Kiln-drying has been practiced
by some, but cannot say as to the snc-
cess, though it seems that this process
would be practically useful. After
curing, the leaflets are generally strip
ped from the stem and packed in bags
or bales for market, though much was
marketed the past season, from some Of
our neighboring counties, stems and
all. The price is from seventy five
cents to one dollar per hundred pounds
or hn
with the leaves.
The following facts are from New
York journal
Previous to 1865 but little American
snmac was nsed now nearly 1000 tons
are drawn from old fields and forests,
vet at the same time the consumption
has largely increased. and the amount
imported exceeds $4,000 in valne.
The upland sumac ia that preferred for
market purposes. It ia three species,
the stag-horn or Rhus typhinn which
grows to a tree eighteen or twenty feet
high, and the smooth or RhMs Gidhro.
The Rhus COpallina is also used: IL il
sometimes called drawf snmac. The
swamp sumac is not considered of
value. OF these the first has branches
of hairy appearance like stag-hOrn /:
the two latter have little bristles or
hairs on the berries. These snmacs
generally grow on red lands derived
from primitive rocks.
The time to gather is before the berry
is ripe. Gather only the leaves. and be
careful to keep ont the berries. Dry in
the air, taking care to keep ont the rain
and dew. Also, do not have the leaves
too thick, as they may heat, and it is
day. No woody stems should be al
lowed to be picked or get among the
leaves. They add some weight, bnt
take of greatly from the value of the
sumac. When thoroughly dried, they
must be ground. This is done in mills,
the stones of which run on edge, and
there are numbers of them in Maryland,
Virginia, and one in Greensboro, N. G.
As dried, before being ground, it is
worth about 1. to 2 cents per pound, as
may be its cleanliness. When ground
and sent tn New York, first-class Ameri-
ca" sumac will sell from Al to 5 cents
per pound by the ton.
When the business was first COM
menced a great deal of poor sumac was
sent to New York. A bad name was
given to the article, and the price was
very low, but we are informed that our
manufacturer in Winchester gets as
much for his article as the best Sicilian.
Southern sumac is richer in tanniu than
the Sicilian, but there has not generally
been enough care taken in its prepare
ton for market. After grinding it
should be packed in bags containg 1852
pounds. The bags, to hold this guam
tity, should be cut 40 by 60 inches.
That considered best has light green
color.
There is room for dozen or more of
these mills in the south, and the sumac
for them is daily going to waste. The
necessary machinery, buildings and
power need not cost as much a. 81, 900,
and if grinding only 200 tons year,
would pay handsomely on that invest
m, Mt. The price at the mills in Vir-
ginia ranges from one to two cents per
pound, and if properly prepared, will
readily sell in New York at four cents
per pound. There c. rtainly must be a
profit of $40 per ton.