Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-24
How to Gather and Treat sunae

Mr.. German Smith, Of Winchester, Va, one Of
the largest and most successful dealers in sumac
In the south, gives the following directions in
regard to sumac culture, preparation for market,
&c:
''The snmac should be taken while all the
sap isstin in the LEAF, and before it has turned
red-say, as general thing, during latter part
OF June, July, and not later than August, and in
no case after it has began to dry up and deaden,
nor after the least frost. for it is of no account
then, and will not be bought. The earlier the
sumac is taken the better it is. The red berries
must all be thrown out The little low, or
black su.nac. as it is called, is as good as any,
and the best way to take it is to cut it and
thresh it and take out the stems. This can be
done by fine rake or running it through fan.
1t may be wilted in the sun. but must be cured
under cover. and not allowed to be burnt by the
sun or to get Wet or to be in such large quanti-
ties as TIC heat in curfng-any of which destroys
its color and strength and renders it valaeless
1t should not be thrown upon tight floor to
cure, OQf raised up, so as to let the air get
under it,; and by shelving loosely much surface
can be obtained in small space, and the sumac
Will cure faster. All sumac should be gathered
at least month before it is sufficiently cured to
be brought in for sale, and in bad weather even
q longer time may be required to prOperly dry
it, for net only the leaf but the twig, too. must
be thoroughly dry, SO that it will snap short of
like clay pipe-sten, or it cannot be received.
for it viii heat and spoil. This must be strictly
observed.
However long sumac may have been taken
or however dry it may be, it draws the damp
ness from the atmosphere in damp time. and
must not be packed until it is perfectly dried
out again.
''Sumac should have the same green. bright
color ana fresh appearance when cured as when
taken from the bush, and must not be bleached.
nor look dark and dead, nor smell musty. 1t is
just as important to have your sumac gathered
at the proper time and in good condition when
brought to market as anything else. If sand
or dirt ef any kind, or any other kind of leaves.
are found among it, it is unstable, and by mix,
ing poor with good you spoil all. It is becom-
ing mere important every year to have your
leaves ia good condition, on account OF increas-
ing con: petition.
'Thes leaf is what Is wanted, but to facilitate
the gathering you can strip Off the blades-that
Is, take the little twigs upon which the leaves
Immediately grow-or you can cut stalk and all,
and when dry enough thrash it and take out the
stems. icing careful not to make it too fine. SO
as to prevent the detection Of adulteration. The
large stems must be all taken out. Don't cut
it up.
1.-The stripping of the leaves is apt to kill the
sumac, and when the stalk dies the roots con-
nected with it die also; therefore we would rec
ommeDd cutting the stalk close to the ground ;
the branches will keep the leaves apart and pre-
vent them from heating when first gathered. and
by little threshing before the sumac gets too
dry, 30 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. bear,
Ing more and larger leaves than the old stalk