AMERICAN SUMAC. 13 



SUMMARY. 



Imported sumac is scarce and high priced. Domestic sumac, if 

 properly gathered and cured, can be largely substituted for im- 

 ported, and should bring better prices than domestic sumac as now 

 cured. Sumac grows wild and abundantly on uncultivated lands, 

 particularly on those east of the Mississippi River. Country people, 

 especially the elderly, and women and children, can earn good wages 

 from July to September by gathering and curing sumac. 



Practically the only kind of sumac gathered in this country is 

 dwarf, or black (Rhm copallina) . 



Before beginning to gather, consult your local merchants or State 

 experiment station to ascertain the names and addresses of buyers 

 of sumac and of sumac extract makers. Be sure to arrange fully 

 and clearly with the dealers as to : (1) The quantity which they will 

 buy from you; (2) a supply of bags; (3) the price per hundred 

 pounds ; and especially (4) an extra price for well- cured sumac leaf. 



In gathering, break the stalk close up to the leaf stem and do not 

 include long bare stalks. Do not gather blooms, berries, or yellow 

 or red leaves. Do not allow the gathered sumac to scald in the sun 

 or to become wet with either dew or rain. Cure in the barn or 

 under cover on a clean floor. Turn once or twice a day until the 

 sumac is thoroughly dry and crisp. Pack and ship only in full, 

 tightly packed bags. Do not bale, and do not allow dirt, stones, or 

 pieces of iron to get into the bags. Such practices ultimately result 

 in a loss to the gatherer. 



As now prepared for the market, domestic sumac contains less 

 tannin than and is greatly inferior in color to imported Sicilian sumac. 



Proper gathering and curing will greatly improve the color of the 

 domestic sumac leaf. Such leaf contains from 25 to 30 per cent of 

 tannin, which is practically as much as the Sicilian leaf. 



A pound of domestic sumac extract, of 42 strength and contain- 

 ing from 22 to 24 per cent of tannin, was quoted in 1914 at about 

 3| cents; in 1915, from 3f to 9 cents; in 1916 from 5J to 10 cents; in 

 1917, from 4J to 5 cents; in August, 1918, 4| to 5 cents; and in 

 August, 1920, from 7 to 8 cents. 



The development of the American sumac industry and the pro- 

 duction of bright, uniformly and properly cured domestic sumac can 

 be accomplished only through the earnest and whole-hearted cooper- 

 ation of the extract makers, merchants, buyers, and gatherers. Ex- 

 tract makers and buyers must make every effort to stimulate the 

 proper gathering and curing by offering better prices and through 

 careful instructions in proper methods of gathering, curing, and 

 packing. The gatherers must help by following carefully the direc- 

 tions set forth in this bulletin and by working harmoniously with the 

 buyers. 



