The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-23
c. Ar y E MIN G NO 7 E S

| genus ranuncuiacee found growing in
damp places In the woods from New
York, west and south. It Ia commonly
called yellow pucooon, orange root
Canadian yellow root II IL q
herbaceous perennial Win q thick
knotty. yellow underground stem or
root, which In early spring sends up q
simple stem about a foot high. bearing
near the top two or sometimes three
round, hand shaped leaves, the upper
leaf growing close upon the stem, while
the lower one has a longer stalk. The
flower Ia small and greenish white. Tho
fruit is about the size Of and resembles
the raspberry.
The yellowish root Of the hydrastis
was employed by the American Indian
for dyeing a bright yellow color and
Is sometimes used in dyeing at the
present day. II has a strong narcotic
odor. with bitter, pungent taste, and
is used incidentally. At one time II was
supposed to be a remedy for cancer.
Gardeners who have cultivated by
drastis say II Is Of somewhat difflcult
culture and must be grown in loan
and leaf mould in a moist situation
1t Is Increased by divisions Of the roots
and from seeds.
II believe It will be OF interest to
readers OF your paper to give informa-
ton concerning one of the most paying
and least troublesome things from which
a farmer or gardener can get money. I
refer TO what is commonly known az
yellow root and more generally known
as golden seal Every person who has
a bit or unused woodland or under.
brush should raise golden seal.
The roots of this plant sold fifteen
years since at 80 cents per pound. The
price has steadily advanced and the root
Is now worth $3.50 per pound The dried
leaves and stems now sell for rs cents
per pound. II 10 the most used and
the most valuable drug known TO the
| modern pharmacopeia.
Golden seal was brought to the at
tention Of civilized men by the Indians
with the Lewis and Clark expedition.
II IL very hardy plant, has a delicate
| white flower. yellow fbrous root, furry
stock and large leaf. It's natural homo
Ia In the woods. 1t will thrive in any
coil and In any State. Being antiseptic
II is not subject TO plant diseases II can
be transplanted successfully when In
full blossom. II reproduces itself from
seed and from the root. II natures in
three years but Is not harmed II not
dug at the end of the three-year period.
II can be raised under artificial shade,
but that method In expensive
Golden seal can be planted in any
woodland that has tree shade and will
take care OF itself and multiply, and all
that the owner has TO do Is to let II
grow and gather the leaves and stems
every fall and lay them out to dry with
out any washing or wetting in an airy
place. but not under a direct sunlight
AT the end OF three years the mature
roots can be sorted out from tho young
roots and the mature roots washed and
dried for sale. while the others can be
| put back in the ground for future
growth. At the end of three years the
grower has a yearly crop OF roots, and
beginning with the first year he has a
yearly crop Of leaves and stems. This
IL one crop on which there ia an abso-
Lutte certainty of a market that Will run
after you as soon as any solden seal
buyer knows you have tho goods 20 sell
90 and ask your druggist or your doctor
about the value OF golden seal
Tho supply has been wild stoch
, mainly. but as tho stock has become
more in demand and the price has ad-
vanced. the hunters have bean more ac-
tive and the wild stock Is so scarce tina,
rttle Of It IS being offered for sale The
planted roots lack so much Of supplying
the demand that big manufacturers OF
drugs have been driven to the neces-
sdty Of using substituted"