PROFITS. 85 



reached there will be no uniform price that will be of 

 advantage for anyone to know. We have paid as high 

 as $10 per pound for cultivated ginseng in the past, 

 but under the conditions existing to-day, would not 

 pay that. However, we cannot positively state now 

 what similar root to this would be worth, but it will be 

 worth considerably more than the wild at any time." 



The statements made in the last three letters may, 

 at first sight, appear to be not very encouraging to the 

 would-be, or to the actual ginseng grower. The 

 author hereby admits that he was surprised at the state 

 of affairs, but after considering the matter in a calm, 

 unbiased way, which, being neither a grower of nor 

 dealer in ginseng, he believes himself able to do, he 

 ventures to express the opinion that altogether the 

 signs are hopeful. Let him obtrude his reasons. 



First. Ginseng is not a staple crop, like wheat, 

 rice, potatoes or apples, which mankind would find 

 inconvenience in doing without. It is at 'best a condi- 

 ment used to give "meat a flavor the Chinese people 

 like." In no household, therefore, can it compare in 

 the expense account with even the least frequently 

 used food. And in consequence its consumption must 

 decline as the income of the family decreases, or, what 

 amounts to the same thing, as its price increases. In 

 short, as soon as the family can no longer afford gin- 

 seng it will cease to be purchased. Its greatest con- 

 sumption, however, is not as a luxury but as a drug, 

 and as such, no matter how important it may be or 

 may become, it can never rise to the dignity of a staple. 

 The food products, products used to clothe and to 

 shelter the body in a word necessities must always 

 outclass it. 



Second. Its rank, present and prospective, having 

 been proved, its standing in the market must be inves- 

 tigated. Legitimately, the price of any article is based 

 upon the law of supply ajid demand. The price may 



