14 PHARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



just prior to or at the time of the cessation of active seasonal growth, 

 and, as is known to the plant grower, this period varies considerably. 

 There are, however, some very notable exceptions to this general rule. 

 Belladonna roots gathered from the blossoming and fruit-bearing plants 

 (July, in the Eastern States and in Europe) are twice as valuable as 

 those collected in March or in October. The roots of taraxacum, vale- 

 rian, gentian, angelica, tormentilla and others, should be collected in 

 the spring, although there is some difference of opinion with regard to 

 taraxacum and valerian, some authorities stating that these roots should 

 be collected in the fall. Aconite roots should be collected from the 

 flowering plants. Roots and rhizomes of perennial herbaceous plants, 

 as calamus, asarum, inula, licorice, hydrastis, ginseng should, as a 

 rule, not be collected before the close of the third year or season. Roots 

 of biennial plants should be collected in the fall of the second year. 

 Barks should, as a rule, be collected in the fall, at the time of the 

 cessation of the active seasonal growth. 



Leaves are generally collected at maturity, without any special ref- 

 erence to the age of the plant from which they are obtained. However, 

 there are notable exceptions. The best tea is made from the exceedingly 

 young leaves and terminal branches. The best coca leaves are picked 

 from the shrubs three to five years old. The first-year leaves of digitalis 

 and hyoscyamus are not to be used, nor the young (dorsiventral) leaves 

 of eucalyptus. 



Collecting the Drug. It is practically useless to attempt giving sug- 

 gestions which will be of real value to the large grower of medicinal 

 plants. It is very important that detailed information should be 

 obtained from those who have been engaged for years in enterprises 

 of a similar kind. The following are mere hints which may prove useful : 

 Roots, rhizomes and other subterranean organs may be turned up by 

 means of a plow, like potatoes. Picking and removing dirt must no 

 doubt be done by hand, although various mechanical devices, as rake. 

 hooks, etc., may be found very useful. It would be very desirable to 

 invent a device for picking leaves and flowers. In some instances the 

 entire plant may be cut and dried and the leaves removed by flailing, 

 as is done in the case of Eriodictyon calif ornicum (mountain balm). 

 This method could no doubt be employed with other herbaceous and 

 shrubby plants having rather thick leaves which become very brittle on 

 drying. Herbs can, of course, be cut by means of mowing machines. 

 Flowers, fruits, and barks must be collected by hand. Seeds, like mus- 

 tard, are collected by mowing the plants and threshing, as is done in the 

 mustard fields of the Lompoc Valley, California, This method can also 

 be used with umbelliferous fruits, as anise, conium, caraway, fennel, 

 etc. Some seeds and fruits can be removed from the plants by shaking 

 and afterwards raked together or picked Up by hand. 



