Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-06-09
DIRECTIONS:

Inc Sulllac SnOulu De lakcu W llIlc IIic
sap is still in the leaf-and before it has
turned much red, say rs general thinS,
during the latter part of June, July,
August anG forepart Of September, but in
no ease after it has begun TO dry up and
deaden, nor after the least frost.
The Red Berries must all be thrown
out. The Little Low, or Black Sumac, as
it is called, is as good as any, and can be
taken later, being more hardy.
1t may be wiltcd in the sun, but must
be cured under cover, and not allowed To
be burnt by the sun or get wet, or to be
in such large quantities as TO heat in cur
ing-any Of which destroys its color and
strength and renders it valuclcSs. 1t
should not be thrown upon tight floor
to cure, but raise up, so as to let the air
ret under it: and by shelving loosely
much surface can be obtained in Il small
space, and the SumaC will cure faster.
All Sumac should be gathered ut least
month before it is sufficiently cured 10 be
brought in for sale, and in bad weather
even Il longer time may be required to
properly dry it; for not only the leaf, but
its stem too, must be thoroughly dry; so
that it will snap short off, like clay pipe
stem, or it cannot be received, for il Will
heat and spoil-this must be strictly OBJ
served.
However long Sumac may have been
taken or however dry it may be, it will
draw the dampnesS from the atmosphere
in damp time, and must not be packed
until it is perfectly dried ont again. We
cannot receive Sumac when damp any
more than when it is green. Ii MUST BE
DRY.
Sumac should have the same green,
I,,.i,r al ,,l fpag
cured as when taken from the bush, and
must not be bleachcd, nor look dark and
dead, nor smell musty. 1t is just as inn
portaut to have your Sumac gathered at
the proper time and in good condition
when brought to market as anything else.
If sand or dirt of any kind, or any other
kind Of leaves, arc found among it, it will
not be bought at any price at all; and by
mixing poor with good you spoil all.
The LEAF is what is wanted, but to
facilitate the gathering you can strip of
the bladcs-that is, take oil the little twigs
upon which the leaves Immediately grow
or YOU can cut stalk and all, and when
dry enough thresh it, and take out the
stems being careful not to make it too
fine so as to prevent the detection ofadul-
teratiOn.
For good bright leaves, well cured and
cleaned-that is, free from stems and all
impurities One Dollar and Twenty-Five
Cents per hundred pounds will be paid,
and others bought accordingly.
The stripping off the leaves is apt TO kill
the Sumac, and when the stalk dies the
roots connected with it die also therefore,
we would recommend cutting the stalk
close to the ground-the branches will
keep the leaves apart and prevent them
from heating when first gathered, and by
little threShing before the Sumac gets
too dry, so as not To- break up too much,
the stems can be easily separated leaving
the Leaf in good condition for bagging
when thoroughly cured; and new shoots
will spring up next season, bearing more
and larger leaves than the old stalk.
When your SUMAC is all ready for
delivery, BAGS will be furnished for
bringing it in; but they must be well fill
ed and prOperlyreturned with care. Any
one getting Bags for others will be held
responsible for the return OF the same,
and ali Bags not returned will have to be
paid for.
l will allow at least $1.00 per 100 lbs.
for good Sumac Leaves ut any Station this
side of Cumberland on the Baltimore u
Ohio Railroad. ~; Shippers should in
all cases pack the bags well and sew them
up securely, and put some mark on each
bag, and notify me by mail, before ship
ment if possible, how many bags and
what mark, that may know to whom the
different lots, often received in the same
car, belong; and have them assorted,
weighed and inspected separately when
received, ny having been advised before
hand by the shippers, and thus save much
confusion, trouble and dissatisfaction.