AMERICAN SUMAC. 
Ontario and near the eastern coast in the Eastern and Middle 
States, south to Florida, and west to Minnesota, Missouri, and 
Louisiana. 
PRESENT METHODS OF GATHERING AND CURING. 
COMMON NAMES USED BY GATHERERS. 
Sumac is commonly termed by the gatherers either "black" or 
" white." " Black " sumac refers to dwarf sumac {Rhus copallina) , 
and " white " sumac usually means white sumac {Rhus glabra) , al- 
though it is believed that this term is sometimes applied also to stag- 
horn sumac {Rhus hirta). Staghorn is not so extensively gathered 
as white sumac. In some sections, as in eastern Virginia, only black 
sumac is collected, while in others, such as the western part of 
Virginia and in West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, small 
quantities of white sumac also are gathered. 
KINDS AND CONDITION OF SUMAC DESIRED BY EXTRACT MANUFACTURERS. 
Dwarf, or black, sumac is the only variety desired by extract 
makers, other species being refused because, it is stated, they contain 
a much higher proportion of pithy, milky stalks, and yield less ex- 
tract. All contracts with gatherers specify that the sumac shall be 
dwarf, or black, only. The leaves and stems of the sumac alone are 
of value. The stalk is useless. While small, short new-growth stalks, 
broken off close below the leaf stem, may be accepted by the buyer, 
the chances are that they will be refused or received at a reduction in 
price. Gatherers are advised to take particular pains to see that 
their sumac contains very little stalk and no berries. Berries are of 
no value to extract makers. 
PROPER TIME TO GATHER. 
Extract makers are opposed to the early gathering of sumac, even 
though the leaves apparently are mature. They state that the leaves 
gathered in May and June are light in weight, do not yield as much 
extract, and can not be handled as well in the extracting process. 
From the viewpoint of both gatherers and extract makers, the best 
time to gather sumac is in July, August, and September. Gathering 
should not be done after frost, as the leaves then drop off readily and 
the color of the extract made from red leaves is darker and less 
desirable than that made from light-colored, well-cured leaves. 
YIELDS PER ACRE. 
While sumac is very plentiful, especially in the eastern United 
States, it rarely covers thickly an area of any extent, but, inter- 
mingled with other vegetation, grows rather scattered in patches 
