Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1893-05-05
THE GINSENG HABIT.


Has Greatly Diminished
The ginseng industry of this coun.
try is steadily decreasing, although
the demand for that peculiar root in
China is apparently as great as ever,
says the New York Times. Dealers
in ginseng who have kept themselves
posted In the course Of that traffic
for several years say that since 1884
there has been a constant diminution
in the production OF Chat root in the
United States and Canada.
There are evidences OF a process OF
gradual extermination Of the root
The principal fields Of its growth
have been oyerworked. No oppor-
tunity has been given them to recu-
perate, and sections of the country
where ginseng has been produced
most abundantlyshow signsofstunted
growth.
To the Chinaman ginseng is isscarcely
less sacred than his joss 1t is TO
him the most potent Of charms as
well as cureall for physical and
mental ailments He chews 1t and
drinks it as a tea Medical author
titles the world over deny that the
ginseng root possesses any especially
medicinal value But the Chinese
with their habltual loyalty to their
traditions, have held firmly to GIN
seng worship for 500 years
The expectation Of ginseng from
this country for the twenty years
prior to 1884 averaged 400 O00pounds
year. Since 1884 the yearly average
OF shipments has not exceeded 275,-
900 pounds. The price in the local
markets has advanced, however. A
generation or so ago, when trappers
and farmers were won't to collect the
root wherever they could tind it and
use it as a species Of currency in pay
ing for goods bought from the village
store, its value ranged from 80 20 40
cents pound. Now the price lges
from 81. so to s4 pound
In China it is sold for much more.
fancy prices being charged. especially
among the more ignorant classes
The 'gilt-edged" ginseng, which .siS
grown in Corea and Manturia, often
sells in China aud Japan for 500 and
$500 a pound This precious root is
credited by the Chinese with aimost
supernatural powers as a physical and
nerve restorative.
Ginseng is found in all parts of
this country east of the Rock Mount
aims. 1t has always been particularly
plentiful In Canada and In the South
ern States. For many years, as an
industry, 1t went hanl in hand with
the fur business. Trappers dug gin
seng roots in the periods when the
fur business was dull, and it became
a common practice with fur dealers
TO alternate the two trafiicS as the
seasons changed. Throughout the
Southern States a considerable pro-
portion Of the poorer white people
are known by no other name than
'seng dealers.
The root is found in largest quanti-
ties in hardwood timber. 1t has one
stem with three branches each branch
containing five large, light-green,
thin leaves The flower is at first a
lighe-green, succeeded by a bunch of
red berries Until these berries have
disappeared the roots should not be
dug, as the sap then goes ba k into
the roots, making them heavier and
consequently more valuable. The
ginseng root, after being well dried,
is ready for the market. 1t is mildly
aromatic to the taste and bears a
slight resemb ance in quality to sweet
flag
The cultivation OF ginseng has not
been extensively followed in this
country. The only Chinese ginseng
farm known here is the one estab-
lished at Summit Station, 0nondaga
County, this State, by George Stanton.
That farm was started as an expert
ment in 1856, and in 1890 Mr.. Stan
ton set out about six thousand roots
and sowed about ten thousand seeds.
He paid as high as sl.l5 for green
seed to transplant.
T. A Bronson OF 81 Cedar street,
is the principal dealer in ginseng in
this city. He has been in the busi-
ness great many years and has
handled an immense quantity Of the
root. When he entered the business
ginseng could be bought for 35 cents
pound. Soon the price rose to so
cents, and from that point it grad
ually advanced to 81 50 and $500
This increase in price is due partly
10 the Jealous efforts Of Chinese agents
who travelled through the country
and bid above the market price for
ginseng, in order to get it in advance
Of the city dealers. Some years ago
there were a few central points where
ginseng was dealt in in large quanti-
ties. Competition has divided and
distributed the traffic. In 1852
Mr. Bronson used to buy from 25, 900
to 80, 600 pounds Of ginseng in one
place, Now If any one person gets
together 1000 or 3,090 pounds Of the
root he is doing pretty well.