554 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



the outer layer is shaved off before the bark is removed from the 

 tree, which process is known as "rossing." Only the inner bark 

 of these trees is used medicinally. Barks may also be cured by ex- 

 posure to sunlight. Moisture must, be avoided. 



Leaves and Herbs. Leaves and herbs should be collected when 

 the plants are in full flower. It is very desirable that they retain 

 their bright green color after curing, and this can be done by care- 

 ful drying in the shade. In the collection of leaves the whole 

 plant may be cut and the leaves may be stripped from it, rejecting 

 the stems as much as possible. In the case of herbs the coarse and 

 large stems should be rejected and only the flowering tops and 

 more tender stems and leaves included. All grasses, bits of other 

 plants, and other foreign substances should be carefully removed, 

 as well as dead, shriveled, diseased, and discolored specimens. 



Both leaves and herbs should be spread out in thin layers on 

 clean floors, racks or shelves, in the shade but where there is free 

 circulation of air, and turned frequently until thoroughly dry. 

 Moisture will darken them. The same precautions that are neces- 

 sary in curing roots apply here also, so far as placing them under 

 cover to avoid dew or rain is concerned. 



Flowers. Flowers are collected when they first open or im- 

 mediately after not when they are beginning to fade. To pre- 

 serve the bright natural color as nearly as possible they should be 

 carefully dried in the shade, in the same manner as directed for 

 leaves and herbs. 



Seeds. Seeds should be gathered just as they are ripening, be- 

 fore the seed pods open, and should be winnowed in order to re- 

 move fragments of stems, leaves, and shriveled specimens. 



Disposal of the Drugs. Samples representative of the lot of 

 drugs to be sold should be sent to the nearest commission merchant, 

 general store, or drug store, for inspection and for quotation on the 

 amount of drug that can be furnished, or for information as to 

 where to send the article. The size of the sample depends, of 

 course, upon the kind of drug; from 3 to 4 ounces or, say, at least 

 a good handful should be submitted. The package containing the 

 sample should be plainly marked as regards contents, and the name 

 and address of the sender given. In writing to the different dealers 

 for information and prices, it should be stated how large a quantity 

 of a particular drug can be furnished and how soon this can be sup- 

 plied. In no case should the entire lot of collected drugs be sent 

 to dealers without preliminary correspondence. The collector 

 should bear in mind that freight is an important item, and it is 

 best., therefore, to address such dealers as are nearest to the place of 

 production. When ready for shipment, crude drugs may be 

 tightly packed in burlap or gunny sacks, or in dry, clean barrels. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLANTS. 



The plants here included are burdock, dandelion, the docks, 

 couch grass, and pokeweed (principally root drugs) ; foxglove, 

 mullein, lobelia, tansy, gum plant, scaly grindelia, boneset, catnip, 

 horehound, yarrow, fleabane, blessed thistle, jimson weed, and poison 



