The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1911-08-17

the Iroquis Indians, plant (PEnaz
Quinquefolium) which not only re
sembles the Chinese root (Psna2
ginseng) in appearance, but possEssses
all it's medicinal qualities.
Roots gathered and dried by tho
Indians, were sent to China, where
they were SO well received that a ,GDn-
siderable trade soon sprang up The
roots at that time were purchased
from the pllsctnrs for thirtgE-tire
cents per pound. This was about
the year 17l4 or 1716, and marks
the beginning of our ginseng trade
with China, which has been steadily
increasing to the present date.
The writer sold his entire 1909
crop OF roots for s7.25 pound.
Natural Home.
At one time ginseng could be found
growing wild as far west as the first
tier of states west lof the Mississippi
River, and from Canada to the gulf
of Mexico. In the south it is found
only in the mountains and high
ground In the north it will be found
on the low lands, making ricn lux
uriant growth, in tlle, rich, moist, but
we'll drained soil, from which oak,
hard maple, beech, and Eastwood
forests grow.
Ginseng is never found in low, wet,
muck soil, such as grows the kam-
arack and cedar. Forest soils hay
ing a wealth of leaf mold and fEirly
light in texture, are most favorable
to this plant. st is never found in
the open as it soon perisfles under the
rays of the summer sun in the clear
ings, but thrives svell in the shade of
the hardwood forests with scant Tn-
der growth.
.n. Climate anal Location.
From WHAT has been previously
said, it viii, be seen that iE will sue
.ceed over a wide territory. 1t mus.
not, however, be inferred srom this
that it can be grown anywhere in this
territory. Efforts te grow 1t in the
low lands of the south have proved
a. failure. The plant requires a cool
climate, such as is found IN the
northern stateE and OBJ the highlands
of both north and south.
In selecting location for b gin
iseng garden, he sure to give the
northern exposure the preference, be-
cause the plant will do better wnere
tie rays of sun strike the garden at
an angle, caused by the land sloping
to the north. Such soil, though we'll
drained, retains moisture much long
er than a south exposure. Second
choice, should be an eastern slope:
third, western hill side, or wela
drained level ground, both are fairly
good but should hare a little more
shade
Soil.
At the time of selecting location,
soil should be taken into considera-
tion. The best soil is a good mellow
loan, well supplied with decaying
vegetable matter, and must be clear
OF stones, clods and chunks of wood,
or any other hard substance.
Never choose a hard clay, light
sand, or muck; such soils are not
adapted to the requirements of this
plant. Nearly any soil in the state
of Iowa can be made, by the applica-
tion of sand, and barnyard manure,
to grow a fine crop of ginseng. A
short, comprehensive list of require
ments might be thus: any good,
rich, we'll drained vegetable garden,
furnished with the required shade.
Preparing the Beds.
Spade the ground over thorough
ly, pulverizing every clod, and re-.
moving roots or stones, to the depth
Of twelve to sixteen inches. If your
ground is not rich enough, spread on
well rotted barnyard manure, about
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