The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-18
HAS A GINSENG GARDEN
W. S. Bear, of Decatur City is the
Owner of a Ginseng Garden and
Expects to Reap a Fortune.

A few weeks ago we published an
article from the Charlton Herald, telling
of the ginseng gardens of that city, and
at the time did not know that anyone in
Decatur county was engaged in ginseng
raising. A few days ago we were over
at Decatur City, and our attention was
called to the fact that W. S. Bear, the
druggist of that town, had quite an ex-
tensive ginseng garden, SO we went to
his residence to take look at this
novel industry, and were very kindly
shown through the gardens by Mr..
Bear.
1t is said thereais not over rs acres in
cultivation in the entire United States,
but in many states the wild plants still
grow in the natural woods, although the
wild root does not command near the
price that the cultivated article does.
At the present time the cultivated
ginseng root in this country is worth
about $3.50 per pound, being used for
medicinal purposes, and retails in the
drug stores at rs cents per ounce.
The ginseng must be protected from
the rays of the sun, and it is therefore
necessary to raise it under cover, and at
the same time not exclude the warmth
and fresh air, SO latticed pen is built.
Mr.. Bears garden is about 4Sx56 feet,
and nine feet high, and the interior is
filled with long beds of growing plants
with just enough room between for a
person to walk, as they require con-
siderable attention, and must be watercd
regularly. Last July before engaging
in the business Mr.. Bear went to
Cassopolis, Mich, and inspected model
garden az that place and modelled his
after it. He purchased seed and plants,
and at this time has between $4,000 and
10000 growing plants. The ginseng
must be cultivated until it is about five
years old before the roots are ready for
market, as the best ginseng comes from
plants four to eight years old. SO that
it is necessary for person to work
several years before getting any return
for their money and labor, but when it
does come it means a nice profit. In
Mr.. Bears garden he has 1,400 three
year old plants, 1880 two year olds, and
in the neighborhood of $4,000 new
plants, which he secured from 10000
seed which he planted. He also has
few five year old plants and these have
considerable seed on them which will
soon mature. Each plant has bunch
of seed in the midst of the umbrella like
cluster of leaves, which turn red when
ripe, and the grower watches them
carefully, each plant having from rs to
100 seeds, and each seed is worth a
cent, and there is great demand for
the seed, it being hard to obtain on
account of many persons engaging in
the ginseng garden business. 1t is very
pleasant work taking care Of the young
plants for like bunch of good cattle
the owner can see them growing into
money every day. Should Mr.. Bear
meet with no misfortune with his garden
in five or six years he will have COM
Portable income from this small plat of
ground.
Mr.. Bear is also experimenting in
raising n number of other medicinal
plants, including Spigelia, Golden Seal,
Solomon Seal, Sanguinaria or Blood Root
and Wild Ginger, all Of which command
high prices.
Since engaging in this business Mr..
Bear has become quite botanist, and
it was real pleasure to us to be per-
mitted to examine his gardens and have
the various plants explained to US.