GINSENG. 



PART I. 



CHAPTER L 



QiNSENQ. 

 HISTORY. As jj-inseng is unknown to the large majority of 

 people, and as to cultivate successfully any given crop it is neces- 

 sary that the grower knows something of its nature and require- 

 ments, the author has thought it best to acquaint the reader first 

 with the history and description of the plant, before going into 

 the more practical part which deals with cultural directions, yields, 

 and profits. It is essential that tlie reader should know something 

 of its development, to enable him to judge for himself whether or 

 not it is advisable for him to engage in growing the crop. 



The American ginseng (I'anax Ouinquefolium) belongs 

 to the natural order Araliaceae, a family of plants closely related 

 to the parsley family, in which are included the parsnip, carrot, 

 and celery. Our plant is a near relative of the ginseng of China 

 and Korea, Panax Ginseng, which is so highly prized by the 

 Chinese. A report of the high esteem in which this plant was 

 held in China reached Europe early in the eighteenth century, and 

 led to inquiries as to whether it grew in the forests of North 

 America. Father Lafitan, a missionary among the Iroquois 

 Indians, after long search and inquiry among them, found a plant 



