58 ANNUAL REPORT. 



that it reproduces itself, because it was claimed that it was all 

 gathered during the years of the hard times. 



In June of the past year the department of State at Wasliing- 

 tou addressed inquiries to the ministeis and consuls of the coun- 

 tries where ginseng is used, to ascertain its general market 

 value and the principal use made of it, and other facts bearing 

 upon the article : 



1st. As to the supply and demand. 



2d. The difference between the cultivated and wild roots — as 

 to market value and demand. 



3d. How the demand for the wild American roots compares 

 with the wild native roots. 



The answers were very voluminous, and from them we learn 

 that in China there are various kinds used, viz., the Corean, Ja- 

 l^anese, American and native. The native is said to be imperial 

 property, and is sold to faithful subjects, who are willing to pay 

 almost its weight in gold for a remedy believed to have great 

 virtue. 



It seems hard to determine the specific use of ginseng in China. 



Ginseng is divided into two classes, clarified and crude. The 

 former is rendered translucent by steaming, skinning and dry- 

 ing the fresh roots; the latter is the natural dried root. The roots 

 are about the size and length of a man's little finger, and Avhen 

 chewed have a mucilaginous sweetness. If good they will snap 

 when broken. Dr. Smith, in his work on Chinese materia med- 

 ica, says: 



"The trade in this drug is a specialty. Great care is required 

 to preserve choice specimens from the effects of damp and the 

 attacks of worms, to which it is liable. This drug is prepared as 

 an extract, as a decoction, in silver vessels as a rule. Its effects 

 are ajiparently those of an alterative tonic stimulant, carmina- 

 tive and demulcent character, with a few exceptions, but with 

 many reservations as to the stage of the disease in which it may 

 be administered with the greatest benefit and safety.'' 



In 1882 there was imported into China from foreign countries 

 4,731.27 piculs (133* pounds to the picul). In 1883, §,499.38 pic- 

 uls. American ginseng sells in China at from *2 to $5 per catty 

 (II pounds). 



American ginseng is principally, if not entirely, shijjped to 

 Hong Kong. The import of ciude and clarified root from 1860 

 to 1883 inclusive amounted to about 10,021,000 pounds, or the 

 average of about 417,500 pounds per annum. Half of this comes 



