274 



SUGGESTIONS 



— FOR — 



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, will snap in two if slightly bent. If it 

 does not, it is not ready for 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 [bark 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 should be gathered when they first open or very 

 soon thereafter. 



