ee, 
was one of the important articles of trade between these two 
countries. A company from India in 1757, eager for gain, sent 
agents in every direction collecting it in a wholesale manner. 
So many roots of an inferior quality were gathered and mark- 
eted that it destroyed the trade for some time. New localities, 
principally west of the Mississippi, were found producing better - 
quality roots which helped to revive the trade. 
The price varies according to the demand and supply. In 
the year 1900 good quality roots brought about seven dollars a 
pound. The appraisal of the American exports for the year 1900 
was $4,000,000. 
This American species is an erect perennial herb from elon- 
gated, aromatic roots with five leaves palmately arranged.. The 
flower stalk is from two to five inches long, bearing in June or 
July an umbel of small flowers. These are soon followed by 
fruit which developes rapidly, remaining green until the mid- 
dle of August, when it begins to turn red. Each berry bears two 
or three seeds. 
In cultivated plants 75 to 100 seeds are the usual number, 
although as many as 152 seeds have been gathered from a single 
plant. The wild plant generally bears only about 50 seeds. 
The forest ginseng only propagates by seed which lies in 
the ground eighteen months before germinating. In some states 
the laws are stringent for its protection, prohibiting its being 
gathered excepting at certain times of the year. The, autumn 
being considered the most profitable time for it to be gathered. 
Its properties are demulcent, slightly stimulent. Its taste 
mucilaginous and sweet. It is strange that a plant with no 
stronger properties should be the means of such great revenues. 
Some of the wild roots have been sent from this and adjoining 
counties. It was while Mr. George Stanton, trying to recuperate 
his health by being out of doors, became interested in gathering 
it and while doing so thought “ the supply will soon be exhausted, 
why not cultivate it?’ So by way of experiment he planted 
some roots in a starch box and placed it in the cellar until spring 
and then planted them in the ground. This was the first cultiva- 
tion of ginseng in America. Onondaga county being the pioneer 
