PROFITS. 83 



"Cultivated ginseng, because of the very small 

 quantity harvested and the superior quality of the root, 

 is influenced less by the depressing conditions probably 

 than the wild article, although it feels to a large extent 

 the depression. It is to be hoped that the price of gin- 

 seng can be kept down lower than the prices of last 

 year, as unless this be done the article will still be 

 beyond the reach of the masses and we will be bothered 

 by an overstocked market continually. 



"Some years ago some brokers in this country 

 imported considerable Japanese ginseng, which in 

 appearance is very similar to the American article, and 

 before the trade in this country knew it, had disposed 

 of fifteen-cent root for mixing with American ginseng, 

 which was then worth from $2.50 to $4.50, according 

 to its quality. When discovered by the Chinese in 

 Hong Kong it nearly ruined the business of every 

 exporter in whose shipments this Japanese ginseng 

 was found, and the innocent exporter in this country 

 suffered severely, while for some years the American 

 ginseng business was considerably affected. Of late, 

 either under misrepresentation or through unscrupu- 

 lousness, some American dealers in settings for gar- 

 dens have been advertising and pushing Japanese seed, 

 claiming in their advertisements that it is almost as 

 good as the American article and will be highly profi- 

 table to the cultivator. Commercially Japanese gin- 

 seng is practically worthless, and will kill the cultivat- 

 ing of American ginseng in this country if permitted 

 to get a foothold in our gardens. The danger of 

 handling Japanese ginseng cannot be too forcibly 

 impressed upon the trade and the grower, and we can 

 only say for ourselves that, knowing a man to be rais- 

 ing Japanese root, we will do everything in our power 

 to injure his business, as it would be a protection not 

 only to ourselves but to the entire trade to have the 

 Japanese article stamped out completely." 



