34 GINSENG. 



be mulclied with some light material to the depth of about one 

 inch. Rotten hardwood sawdust, planingmill shavings, waste ex- 

 celsior, straw, and marsh hay, all make good mulching. Buck- 

 wheat hulls are also an excellent mulching material. This mulch 

 is necessary to protect the seed from drying out; it tends to keep 

 the ground mellow; prevents the growth of many kinds of weeds; 

 holds moisture in time of drought, and as it decays adds to the fer- 

 tility of the soil. 



In planting seed, great care should be taken not to allow the 

 seed to become dry. Exposing it to the sun or dry wind for only 

 a short time is injurious. Only a small quantity of seed should 

 be taken into the planting receptacle at a time, and the receptacle 

 should always be covered with a wet cloth. 



PLANTING ROOTS. Roots are planted in rows about six inches 

 apart. First the bed should be marked off crosswise, the desired dis- 

 tance the rows are to be apart. Then plant with a gardener's trowel 

 by beginning at one end of the bed, digging a "V" shaped trench 

 across the bed. Place the roots into the trench, or rather against the 

 edge of the trench, the desired distance apart; about the same dis- 

 tance as is left between the rows, and so that the crown or bud of 

 the roots will not l^e covered to exceed one inch deep; then reach 

 forward with the trowel for dirt and cover the roots, and by so 

 doing we are at the same time making the trench for the next row 

 of roots; and so on. After planting, cover with leafmold and 

 mulch the Ijeds the same as in planting seed. On older roots, 

 leaves can be used as a mulch besides the materials mentioned 

 under "Planting Seed", but if leaves are used the beds must be 

 carefully examined in the spring to see that the leaves are not 

 matted, which would prevent the tender shoots of the plants from 

 coming through. 



