PHARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 45 



ward to Tennessee, in the eastern half of the United States. The true 

 Chinese ginseng is perhaps a different species. Living roots should 

 be imported for experimental purposes. There are numerous private and 

 rnment reports on ginseng culture, which should be consulted before 

 actual cultural work is begun. See, also, DISPENSATORIES. We would 

 strongly advise a visit to several ginseng plantations in the United 

 States, for the purpose of studying cultural methods, before beginning 

 operations. On this occasion arrangements can also be made to secure 

 seeds and roots for starting the cultural work. Seeds cost about one 

 cent apiece and require eighteen months to germinate. One year roots 

 sell for 10 cents each. 



14. Hemlock. A highly poisonous weed which will thrive any- 

 where. Grown much like dill, caraway, anise and related plants. Has 

 escaped from cultivation. 



The market demand is quite limited. Might be grown in conjunc- 

 tion with other medicinal plants, especially those which are closely 

 related, as anise, fennel, etc. Caution must be observed to avoid mixing 

 of plants in the field. 



15. Henbane. A biennial narcotic weed, which can be grown in 

 any fairly good soil. Culturally it could be associated with stramonium, 

 Indian hemp (Cannabis indica), tobacco and belladonna. 



Considerable experimental work is required in establishing the cul- 

 ture of this plant in California and elsewhere in the United States, in 

 order to determine what effect cultivation will have on the yield of 

 active constituents. In order to make culture profitable, the herb 

 (flowering) must be used. 



Two forms of henbane are known, the annual and the biennial. The 

 former is not desirable medicinally. II; would appear that the biennial 

 form, which is official in the United States Pharmacopoeia, tends to 

 Mower even during the first year in California. We would advise experi- 

 mental cultivation for a period of from three to five years, in order to 

 determine the alkaloidal yield of first-year leaves (of flowering, as well 

 as of non-flowering, plants) and second-year leaves, of upper stems, 

 lower stems, influence of sun, fog, irrigation, etc. It thrives exceedingly 

 well in the coast region of California. 



16. Hydrastis. This is grown something like ginseng, though 

 some declare that artificial shading is not necessary. 



Hydrastis could be cultivated in conjunction with ginseng. A patch 

 of rich soil, with lath shading, 200 by 200 feet, devoted to ginseng and 

 hydrastis would probably keep one man busy most of the time. So 

 far, no one has attempted the commercial culture of hydrastis in 

 California, although the few experimental attempts have shown that it 

 thrives exceedingly well. 



