SELECTION FOR IMPROVEMENT. 71 



and confidently predicts that as great discoveries are 

 to be made and improvements wrought in the busi- 

 ness as have been recorded and attained up to the 

 present time. 



In this connection it may be said that a well con- 

 ducted organization of ginseng growers and dealers 

 should be of great benefit to the industry, since meth- 

 ods of selecting, cultivating, harvesting, drying, pack- 

 ing and marketing, and other matters pertinent to the 

 ginseng business could be freely discussed. Mr. E. C. 

 Robertson, of Dickson, Tenn., who seems to be the 

 first to propose such an organization, writes in the July 

 issue (1902) of Special Crops concerning this matter 

 as follows : 



"There is one thing which I should like to see 

 effected, and that right soon an organization of gin- 

 seng growers. Now is the time to start such an organ- 

 ization while the industry is in its infancy and the 

 planters are comparatively few. With the right kind 

 of officers, the ginseng growers need have no fears 

 about future prices, for the association can control the 

 supply, and thereby the prices. Besides, such a move- 

 ment will do away with many of the objectionable 

 features of handling the marketable roots in this coun- 

 try. It is one of the most important things for con- 

 sideration at this time, and I suggest an early meeting 

 of all who are interested in the growing of ginseng 

 . . . for the perfection of plans and the completion 

 of such an organization as may be desired. After the 

 national meeting, the several states can organize, and 

 then work in harmony for the benefit of the cause." 



Mr. Sears publishes a recent letter from Wells 

 & Co. concerning the improvement in general market 

 ginseng. The letter reads as follows : "The improve- 

 ment in ginseng is most conspicuously shown in south- 

 ern root, i. e., root grown south of the Ohio river. 

 This is for two reasons: wild root from the South is 



