FUR FACTS 229 



however, various recognizable geographical races, not all of the same 

 value to the grower. Plants from the northern range, particularly 

 those indigenous to New York and Wisconsin, appear to possess the 

 most useful characteristics and form the best basis for breeding stocks. 

 Southern ginseng, though vigorous and forming roots of good size 

 and shape, does not seed well in northern localities, evidently finding 

 the season too brief. Some of the western types have long thin roots 

 of undesirable character, and another local form, dwarf in growth, 

 has small, round, and almost worthless roots. The beginner should 

 endeavor to procure from rehable dealers the best commercial types 

 of ginseng as a foundation for his breeding stock. 



Diseases of Ginseng 

 The diseases of cultivated ginseng appear to be chiefly incident 

 to the crowding of the plants, deficient drainage, and lack of ventila- 

 tion. In their natural state the plants as a rule are thinly scattered 

 on the forest floor under advantageous conditions of ventilation and 

 the soil drainage, the normal action of tree roots playing no incon- 

 siderable part in the latter condition, and diseases, of which there are 

 several, are Ukely to remain quite local in effect, but under the crowd- 

 ed conditions of commercial culture they tend to spread and may 

 cause material injury. Errors in fertilization and soil treatments 

 are also fruitful sources of injury and by weakening the resistance 

 of the plants further invite the inroads of disease. 



Forest Plantings 

 The earlier successes with ginseng culture were made with forest 

 plantings, and this method is still preferred by many growers where 

 the proper conditions are available. The shade should be fairly 

 dense, but should be produced by tall, open-headed trees rather than 

 by undergrowth. Good drainage is essential, as the plants will not 

 thrive in wet soils. The soil should be deeply plowed or spaded, all 

 tree roots removed, and their further encroachment should be pre- 

 vented by cutting around the beds yearly with a sharp spade. Leaf 

 mold or well decayed litter should be liberally worked into the soil, 

 and an application of bone meal raked into the surface will in most 

 cases prove a useful addition. The culture of forest beds is in all 

 respects similar to that under artificial shade, and the winter mulch 

 should in no case be omitted. 



Digging the Root 

 The cured root is valued by the Chinese largely according to its 

 size and maturity. The best qualities of proper age break with a 



