The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-06-30
Ca1Phor ices az Qo2acTEZa.

dents of the Southwest.
Derived, until recently, almost entirely
from Japan, the worlds supply of camphor IS
now being somewhat augmented from American
soil, although the industry has not yet been
placed a commercial basis
Since the camphor importations amount to
about 100000 a year, every effort IS being
made to get American farmers interested IN
the industry.
Importing camphor trees and distributing
them through various parts of the South, the
government has practically demons rated that
various sections of that territory are suited for
It's growth
The readiness with which the camphor tree
is prOpagated from seed, and It's rapid growth,
together with the large yield Of gum and oil
in Florida the yield has been ~ per cent. pure
camphor-inake the economic possibilities in
camphor growing look very bright.
Although the bulk of hcorice used or
medicine in the United Srates-this item alone
amounts to about 100000 annually comes
from the countries bordering the Mediterra-
mean Sea. the Bureau Of Plant Industry kss
found the plant 10 be hardy, capable # .rU0-
ing, almost IN a wild state, as far north
Pennsylvania. This Is one of the medicin-.-
plants which viii certainly be raised in the
United States for home use before Ions
BelladOnna and digitahs ar among the
portant minor crude drug import tions which
might Just well be produced in America as
elsewhere; IN fact, the cultivation of belaGolna
on a commercial scale has been successfully
taken up during the last several .ca- by an
American firm.
1t has been found easy to raise foxglove-
the pint from which digitahs Is secured-at
Washington and in South Carolina.
Peppers are being readily raised II Amer
lea; but, account of the restricted demand,
this industry is not likely to reach an impor.
tant stage.
Another plant, used as medicine and food
which America has been importing, while IL
could just as well be gathered on American
shores, Is Irish moss.
The cultivation of the cascara sagrada tree
has been carried with great success al
Washington an at Ebenezer, S. c. Not only
Is the bark in great demand IN America but II
foreign lands; and. since a foreign shortage II
the near future seems inevitable, American
farmers have been advised tc take up its
culture.
Among the American native weeds, gen
orally neglected. which are held to DC valuable
a medicines are golden seal burdock. lobels
"a poisonous weed), pokeweed anC boneset. But
there are many others.
Especially gratifying have been tn results
with regard - the golden seal root By nc
means new is this remedy. The Indians used II
not only stain their aces and dye theil
clOthing-they found the root valuable medi-
cine Captain Lewis learned, when he was
making his expedition with Clark III 1904
across the West, that golden seal was a great
Yet it remains for the government to teach
the people of the present day the desirabilitJ
of culti7ating it.
1t is native from southern New York to
Minnesota ard western Ontario south to Geor.
gia and Missouri, ascending to an altitude Of
2500 feet IN Virginia. Prior to 1900 there had
been no record of any one who had attempted
the cultivation of golden seal for the market.
The government started its cultivation on 4
small scale at Washington, and as a result 10 d
now announced that it is susceptible of BEING
proftably propagated.
As illustrating the profit that there would
Be in more general cultivation of golden seal, Il
may be cited that IN ten years from 1894 the
price has increased from % cents to $125 &
pound and has continued to climb.
Estimates by reliable dealers are that lie
annual consumption, or, rather demand. 8
about 100000 pounds. But. of course, if Ia. q
number of people should successfully engage q
growing golden seal the price would soon -
down.
Oversupp-s indeed, seems to be the 'ule
thing to be feared, once America -criousy -
termines to become her own doctor and drugs.s6