134 PRESENT STATUS OF THE INDUSTRY. 



and climate, being infused with most of their drinks 

 and taken even with some of their solid food as a pre- 

 cautionary measure against sickness.' 



''There are stated to be three ways of taking 

 ginseng, viz., as pills, confection, and infusion. Its 

 medicinal value is thought to be diminished by a 

 steaming process to which it is frequently subjected 

 for the improvement of its color. It appears to be 

 given the character of a confection by steeping in 

 honey or by the use of sugar. The wild ginseng of 

 Manchuria is the most .highly esteemed, now repre- 

 sented, according to Dr. Smith, by that coming from 

 Shingking. This is and has long been an imperial 

 monopoly. 



"A recent consular authority, Mr. I. F. Shephard, 

 presents a classification, the first grade in which is 

 named and described as follows : ' "Imperial ginseng," 

 so called because it is raised or gathered under imperial 

 protection in the parks or hunting grounds, where it 

 is kept free from the profanation of the vulgar herd. 

 This variety ranges from $40 to $200 per pound, and 

 is largely taken up by the wealthy classes in Peking 

 and vicinity, as far as I can learn. It is fine in its 

 appearance, quite in the desired form, and of course 

 very scarce in trade. 



" 'Although only an imaginary line divides the 

 Korean peninsula from Manchuria, the ginseng grown 

 in the former place seems to take rank after the Man- 

 churian article. It is said to possess about the same 

 qualities as the Manchurian, and the supposed differ- 

 ences are probably fanciful. Being much cheaper it 

 is more extensively used. The price paid for it ranges 

 from $15 to $35 a pound. 



" 'Cultivated ginseng in Korea is a common mar- 

 ketable article, and is produced in large quantities. As 

 in the case of the Manchurian article, its sale has long 

 been a government monopoly, the funds derived from 



