GINSENG AS A GARDEN PRODUCT. 



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GINSENG AS A GARDEN PRODUCT. 



HAROLD SIMMONS, HOWARD LAKE. 



The cultivators of ginseng who have written or said anything 

 about this novel industry agree that the thing of prime im- 

 portance is to observe and adopt methods and conditions found to 

 exist where the plant grows wild. A sandy loam, something that 

 will not bake, is the ideal condition for growing ginseng ; but an 

 ordinary garden soil that will produce good vegetables will grow 

 ginseng, when well spaded, with good short manure worked in at 

 the rate of one barrow load to twelve square feet if the ground is 

 ordinarily rich, will make an excellent bed. Shade of some kind is 

 essential. I think artificial shade is preferable to natural shade from 

 the trees, as it is hard to get the right amount of shade and sun- 

 shine too ; it is either too much or too little of one or the other ; 

 while by using lath or brush on frames, one can adjust it until it is 

 satisfactory. 



It can be grown incidentally with gardening or farming, as it 

 requires very little attention. Though no real cultivation is prac- 

 ticed there may be something to do in the way of pulling out sprouts 

 and weeds/ The cultivation in fact should consist of thorough 

 mulching in the fall season, or at the time of planting. All weeds 

 should be kept down. Unleached wood ashes is the best fertilizer 

 to use. Each autumn after the plants die down a top dressing of 

 some good fertilizer should be applied. 



In starting a garden or plantation of ginseng, plant the seeds 

 in rows about six inches apart and the seed about an inch apart in the 

 row. Transplant the roots at two years old to four inches apart 

 each way, there to remain until it is desired to dig for market. If 

 starting with roots, set them four inches apart direct; If one can 

 procure the wild plants it is much the cheaper way of starting, but 

 takes longer to obtain results, as the plants under cultivation develop 

 the root much quicker and yield seed much more prolifically. 



Supposing we have one square rod set aside in the garden for 

 ginseng and have it stocked with roots planted at four inches apart 

 each way as stated, there will be eighty-one roots to the square yard 

 or 2,470 to a square rod. Roots of four years' growth will average 

 from ten to fifteen cents each — when dried for market, at present 

 prices ; consequently the 2,470 roots, valued at the lowest estimate 

 (ten cents each) gives a return of $247.00 for one square rod. It 

 takes from three to five years to grow a crop of marketable roots, 

 which will no doubt deter a general rush into the culture of ginseng 

 as a business, but the inducements are such as to lead enterprising 

 people to cultivate this valuable plant. 



