The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-30
Medicinal Plants May Be Guilt.
waited in Kansas.
Government Expert Tells What
Plants May Be Raised.
War HAS CUT OFF THE SUPPLY
There Has Been q Sharp Adj
vance in Prices Here.
The e. s. Depends on Europe
for Certain Drugs.

Washington, Sept. 30.-The cessation
Of the harvesting and shipping OF
many crude drugs because of HOSTILE
ties in Europe has caused a sharp ad-
vance in thier market price. AS re-
suit many individuals and firms have
written the United States department
of agriculture ;nquiring about the pos
sibil:ties OF the American farmer grow
ing drug plants profitably. The de-
partments specialist in charge of drug
plant Investigations has written a
number of these correspondents that
although it is probable that a number
of important drug plants could be
grown profitably here If the present
high prices continue, nevertheless
there is possibility of the early res
toration of shipping facilities and in
any event the inexperienced grower OF
drug plants would be more liable to
meet with failure than with success.
Some medicinal plants, says the de-
partments specialist, may be grown
as easily as ordinary garden crops;
knowledge and skill of practiced
gardener. There are many varying
factors in the commercial production
of drug plants. The constituents OF
many of them vary in quantity, ac-
method of drying, and a knowledge OF
proper methods of harvesting and
curing is absolutely essential for the
production of drugs of high quality.
Harvest in 1915.
Even If the prospective grower pos
sessed some knowledge of drug plants
beginning now, he could scarcely hope
to harvest a crop before the late sum-
mer Of 1915. In the car of some
varieties he might ev.n have to wait
until the end Of the recond or third
year cfter planting. Therefore, the
farmer who began at once might not
find himself with supply of crude
drugs on hand until after prices had
returned to their former level.
Extensive paintings by individuals
throughout the country might easily
result in overproduction. which would
cause a decline in the market price
independent Of the conditions abroad
For successful production of drug
plants on a commercial scale there
must be an available market. The
cost OF production must be carefully
estimated and to this must be added
the cost of packing and shipping tc
this market.
Drug plants to be profitably growr
should yield returns at least equal tC
those from other crops which may
be grown on the same land The
farmer must determine that this i.
the case. TIE fact that much hand
work is necessary in tn production
of most drugs is liable to make the
cost Of labor high.
Suitable Drug Plants.
Some drugs that might be grown
here are also produced in South Amer
lea and other localities not involved ir
the war. where they can still be pro-
duced more cheaply than here.
There are, nevertheless, certain drug
plants now produced chiefly in Europe
which under suitable conditions may be
grown in parts of the United States
Among these are the following: Althea
anise, belladonna. burdock, calamus
caraway, conium. coriander. dandelion
digitalis. elecampane, fennel, henbane
horehound. marjoram, sage, thyme
valerian. Seeds of many of these plants
may be obtained from the large seet
houses. Even the above mentioned
however, need peculiar conditions il
order to thrive. for drug plants vary
widely in their relations to soil an(
climate. Satisfactory yields can only
be expected when the requirements OF
these plants are understood and met