274 
SUCCESTIONS 
—OR 
GATHERING AND PREPARING BOTANICAL 
DRUGS FOR MARKET. 
Perennial Roots and Barks of Roots (which 
embraces most of the list of medicinal roots) should be gath- 
ered after the leaves and flowers, or tops, have fully matured— 
in the late summer and fall, or before they commence growing 
in the spring. 
Biennial Roots (as Burdock, Poke Root, Yellow Dock, 
and a few others of this class). Only the first year’s growth 
from the seed should be gathered, as after the first year’s growth 
the strength of the root is exhausted by the stalk, and leaves 
the root woody, pithy, hollow and worthless. The new roots 
that grow from the old ones, although sound, are not succu- 
lent and rich like the seedling root, but if properly trimmed 
from the old root, make a fair merchantable article. Roots 
should never be gathered while growing, as they then contain 
about twenty per cent. of water, and have not acquired the 
Properties which render them valuable for medical purposes. 
All large roots (except Ginseng) should be cut or sliced in 
small pieces when green, as they dry and cure more easily, not 
So apt to mould, and bring a better price in the market. Roots 
dried in dark rooms are lighter in color and more sightly, and 
a tincture made from it will be of a lighter color. A root, 
when thoroughly dry, wil] snap in two if slightly bent. If it 
does not, it is not ready tor market. All roots and barks of 
roots must be washed clean before drying. 
Ginseng Root should never be broken or cut (even 
stringing it on Strings reduces its value), and for that reason 
it should never be shipped in sacks. The larger, whiter and 
more perfect the root, the more valuable it is. 
Barks of Trees should be gathered when the sap flows, 
or when the second growth begins. Many of them, however, 
are of greater value if gathered in the winter, when they can 
be easily peeled, if gently heated by a fire, care being taken 
not to burn or scorch them. The Ross, or outside bark (on 
such as Cherry, Oak, Elm, Hemlock, Sassafras ie of root}, 
etc.), must be cut or shaved off, as it is worthless, the inner 
bark being the only part used. : 
Herbs and Leaves should be gathered before they 
attain their full growth, when the flowers are in bloom. In gath- 
ering herbs, all the coarse and large stems, or stalks, must be 
rejected, and only the tender tops and leaves collected. 
Flowers shoula be gathered when they first open or very 
soon thereafter, : 
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