AMEBIC AN SUMAC. 
7 
Table 3. — Loss of moisture in curing sumac {collected Sept. 2 
S, 1916). 
Species. 
Duration 
of drying. 
Loss of 
moisture. 
Days. 
5 
Per cent. 
50.5 
25 
49 
53.2 
53. 6 
5 
63.9 
25 
49 
66.1 
66. 6 
Staghorn . 
5 
55.5 
25 
49 
57. 3 
57^8 
There is reason to believe that the loss in curing on the farm is not 
so great as the loss observed in the bureau's experiments, where the 
sumac dried out very thoroughly. The total loss in weight of the 
mixed leaf and stalks from gathering until it reaches the extract 
maker probably averages very close to 60 per cent. 
PREPARATION FOR TRANSPORTATION. 
Sumac received by the dealers from the farmers usually comes in 
bags, or is handled loose in wagonloads like hay, and in many in- 
stances may have been hauled as far as 20 miles. Many farmers pre- 
fer to deliver the sumac in wagonloads, as they claim that too much 
time is consumed by putting it up in bags. Since the sumac becomes 
very brittle when dried and the leaflets are easily broken from the 
leaf stems, much loss occurs in handling it loose. Dealers, therefore, 
as a rule, prefer to have the sumac delivered in bags. These bags 
cost the dealers 8 to 9 cents each, but are usually furnished without 
cost to the gatherers. Some gatherers, after drying the sumac, flail 
off the leaves and pack them in bags for shipment. Seventy-five 
pounds should be packed into a 4-bushel bag, but the average quan- 
tity put into them is about 40 pounds. 
From the small dealers to the extract manufacturers the sumac is 
usually handled in bags or bales. The cost of baling is about 10 
cents per hundredweight. 
PRICES PAID GATHERERS AND DEALERS. 
During the seasons of 1916 and 1917 in eastern Virginia the 
gatherers received from 90 cents to $1 per 100 pounds in trade from 
the dealers. The extract manufacturers furnished bags for use in 
hauling and shipping the cured sumac. The dealers received from 
the extract makers $1.10 per 100 pounds for the bagged or baled 
material, which in this region includes the new-growth stalks as well 
as the leaves and leaf stems. In northern West Virginia and western 
Maryland the gatherers received in 1916 for the leaves and leaf stems 
alone (no stalks) from 80 cents to $1 per hundred pounds in trade 
from the dealers, who in turn received $1.10 to $1.15 from the extract 
makers. In 1917 these prices were about 5 cents per hundred higher. 
In this section all varieties of sumac are mixed and well packed for 
shipment in bags furnished free of charge by dealers. 
