180 TAVENTY-FIRST REPORT. 



the experiments which have heon made seem "to show that continuous sun- 

 sliine, especially when aecompaniofl with hot and dry weather, is detrimental 

 to the growth of the plants. This, however, has not heen my experience at 

 the University of Michigan. Here the natural conditions seem to favor the 

 best production and maximum yields, the plants withstanding even tempera- 

 tures of 115° F. and prolonged drought. 



Probably the most important phase of the economic production of drugs 

 is the question of collecting and preparing them for the market. Nearly every 

 one who has gone into this wox'k has installed some special drying apparatus, 

 usually employing a certain amount of heat. In case of belladonna and digi- 

 talis, the leaves are separated from the plant, placed in separate layers on 

 frames and dried, using artificial heat. This again is expensive, requiring 

 considerable labor and drying facilities. If the stalks are strung on wires or 

 spread in drying sheds, and thus protected from rains and dews, there will 

 be a great saving of labor and a much larger crop can be handled. This 

 latter plan was followed at the University of Michigan, and all of the plants 

 thus far examined have shown an activity at least twice that of the otticial 

 standards prescribed. 



The number of medicinal plants which have been cultivated is exceedingly 

 small, and the failure of attempts to cultivate a larger number is rather 

 surprising in the light of the results which have been secured during the past 

 season at the University of Michigan. The reason why so many plants were 

 grown was because it was anticipated that about 90 or 95% of them would 

 succumb in the course of the season. As it was every plant, of which we 

 had seed which would germinate, did well, even in the open. 



The following is a list of plants which were grown at the University 

 Botanic Gardens: 



No attempt is made to distinguish between the really useful and those 

 which might be considered by some to be unimportant. They all are used to 

 some extent and have a market value. 



1. Althaea officitmUs L. (marsh-mallow). A perennial herb, with rose- 

 colored ^flowers. It somewhat resembles the hollyhock, the plant flowering 

 from July to September, the seeds following in little capsules or buttons. The 

 whole plant is mucilaginous, but the root is the only part used in medicine in 

 this country. The leaves and flowers are also used in Europe. 



2. Anethum graveolens L. (garden dill). The plant resembles fennel, but 

 is smaller. All parts are aromatic, the leaves being used chiefly as a flavoring 

 for culinary purposes. The fruit is used to some extent in medicine, and the 

 aromatic water produced therefrom is oflicial in Great Britain, where it is used 

 as a vehicle in medicine, closely resembling caraway water. The aromatic 

 properties are due to an oil which is present from two to four per cent in 

 the fruits. 



