The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-12-18
INDIANS CULTIvATING GINSENG

INDIANS CULTIVATING GINSENG.
The cultivation Of ginseng, which is a
remarkably profitable industry, and
which may be raised in window box
or on more elaborate scale, has for
some time been engaged in by the In
dams of northern Wisconsin. During
the last few years the growing of gin
seng has attracted considerable atten-
ton in the United States, and now
many Of the states boast farms of
this commodity. To have a ginseng
bed 1t Is not necessary to own broad
planted in a back yard, on the north
side of building or in the angle of
house.
Every farmer might have ginseng
bed in his garden, and grow the plants
at comparatively little expense, after
once getting start. In ginseng
| growing it is the f1eshy, succulent
roots that are desired, unless one be in
the nursery business, when, Of course,
he would wish to raise seeds and young
roots to sell to those just starting into
the business. Even when in the bust
ness only to secure the roots for dry
ing, the grower is always anxious to
save all the seeds formed each year in
order to increase his paintings.
| many extravagant tales have been
told of the profits from ginseng grow
| ing that many are led into the business
with unreasonable expectations, while
others of a more cautious nature be-
come suspicious and do not engage in
it at all. The truth Of the matter is
that present conditions seem to insure
reasonable amount Of profit in the
| business where it is begun on a small
scale and increased gradually as the
grower becomes more familiar with the
work. Enormous profits have been de-
rived from small areas of ginseng
plants and writer's have taken advan-
tage of the fact to multiply the acre
age, and also the returns, assuming
that the profits would increase accord
ingly, which is unfair under most con-
ditions and with most persons.
Ginseng, or sang, has been known,
and to some extent collected in Missou-
ri probably since it's early settlement.
Even now there is scarcely rural
community without its sang hunter"
However, it was only with the increas-
ing scarcity of ginseng, together with
the high prices paid for it, that has
drawn attention to the subject of its
artificial culture for the market.
The demand for ginseng comes from
China and, to a limited extent, from
Japan. For ages it has been used al
most exclusively by the Chinese and
| Japanese, who consider it a tonic of
marvellous quality to be employed In
cases of debility, much as we use quiz
nine. 1t is said to be to some extent
mixed with quinine by Chinese doctors.
That it has some medical value is re-
cognized by those who have investiga-
| ted it's properties, but it is nowhere a
recognized remedy except in China.
There it is a standard cure for all ills
and equally eff1cacious as preventive.
That the value set on the kinseng root
by the Chinese is largely sentimental
or superstitious is evidenced by the
fact that they are said to be willing to
pay much higher prices for roots which,
in their shape, happen to resemble the
human form or that Of some animal.
These facts are of Importance as indi-
eating the probable long continued de-
mand for Observation-Disclosures Sentinel.