The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-08-02
CHINA'S SACRED PLANTS.
NATURES GREATEST GIFT TO MAN
is GINSENG, JOHN SAYS.

The ancient doctrine of plant sigma
lures no longer exercises control over
human mind and action, but is un-
hesltatngly consigned to the fitting
Oblivion of the Ozark Ages" one of
the traditional superstitions of the past,
too obviously ridiculous to be believed,
even by the crcdulously ignorant of
modern times.
But in China we find that the far
famed ginseng root holds supreme
place as "the most valuable produc-
tion of nature" After that, what
more can be said for its medicinal
properties?
1t Is really a large variety of the
well-known mandrake, and. as gin is
the Chinese word for man, we trace
the meaning of the term. Because
of its resemblance to the human form,
it Is the chief specific for all disorders
of lungs or stomach; It revives the
annemic. rcpels the encroachment of
old age, cures asthma. acts as counter
irritnnt in case of ,poson i'm short,
is the mystic "all heal" In appear
ance the root, when dried, is of yellow
color, streaked with black veins. as if
outlined in ink, and when chewed
yields a bitter-sweet juice. pleasant
and clean of taste. SO popular and SUI
preme is Chinese faith in it's power
that the sum of three pounds of gold
is gladly exchanged for one pound of
ginseng.
Although really not indigenous, as
1t is n native of Manchuria, it forms
Il great exception TO the usually alb
horred foreign thing it is cultivated,
nurtured, even guarded carefully from
the prOfane or greedy intruder
To the northeast of Pekin, between
it and the province of Leas Tong,
stretches wild and almost inaccess-
ible hilly country of deep wild forests,
which is stalied by high palisades and
strongly guarded by Chinese soldiers
who prevent intrusion. The Govern
mont would make of its growth mo.
nopoly, and many Il Tartar risks life
and limb TO cross the Rubicon and
steal the treasure. The Tartar in his
name of Orhota considers It as the
chief of plants.
When Tartary was surveyed by the
Emperor Kam-he. the well-known Pere
JartouX was enioined by the Emperor
to watch for the ginseng. On this oc-
casion veritable army of Tartars.
10000 in number, were employed to
gather the valued plant, and this army
of botanistS was sub-divided into COM
panies of 100 men each, under chief.
For six months they crossed and
recrossed the country, till every avail
able root was gathered in. and after
allowing two ounces apiece to each
gathererf the remainder was bought
in by equal weight in pure silver.
The Chinese doctor, in distinctive
costume and wearing his pectlliar spec.
tacles-eyes and rims which are alike
made of clear tortoise shell-may be
called into consultation for light or
serious cases of Illness, but his rem
edy, like the turpentine cure of the
Florida negro, is always and ever
ginseng.
The man who is too i'll TO be cured
by ginseng is called to the Celestial
Land of his ancestors: the man who
is cured is not ready to join the de.
parted.
With far more mystic than of mate
rial regard do we find the Nelumbo or
sacred lotus bean enter into the Chi
nese conception of IN ideal or higher
life. Egypt, wherein it ruled as the
great emblem of Sanctty ana claimed
as its followers a devoted priesthood
1000 years ago, now knows it not: and
so to India and China principally may
we go to see and learn of the sacred
lotus.
Above all sacred plants ii is cher.
ished by Chinese and Japs alike: the
flower of flowers, uncontaminated by
the muddy waters on which 1t floats,
this Lien-wha and its beauties are
sung by the poets. its virtues eXtolled
and worshiped; for according to Chi
nese theology It as nectar and enters
INTO the beverage of Immortality.
NO greater pleasure, no higher form
of enjoyment, is conceivable for NOR
tai man than to float upon the river
in moonlight amidst the lotus beds. 1t
Is taste of the blessed life to come
ana is truly purely ideal as well as
intensely simple, mode of enjoyment.
when compared with our noisy beer
gardens and garish display of colored
lights and yet we regard this ardent
admirer of the lotus, ever and always.
ms the heather Chinee. To him it is
typical of female beauty, and on
lis leaves the mysterious god. PuZza.
Is reverently sealed. Nor is the lotus
without its associations for the Chris.
tian. Its fruit is divided into valves
and in each rests n nut about the size
OF flbcrt with flavor more delicate
than that of the almond. When ground
1t Is often mixed with flour for bread.
In ancient days these nuts were in
cased in balls of clay and thrown out
upon the watery bosom of the mighty
: Nile, custom which commentators
seem to think forms the real eXplana-
ton of our popular text: Cast thy
bread upon the waters, for thou shalt
mud 1t after many days"
Rice, the grain of grains in all East
ern countries Is estimated in China as
the symbol of life, generation and
abundance. In the spring, at the great
fire festival, the priests of Tao carry
/ baskets of rice and salt toward the
various flaming braziers, and as they