AMERICAN SUMAC. 13 
SUMMARY. 
Imported sumac is scarce and high priced. Domestic sumac, if 
properly gathered and cured, can be largely substituted for im- 
ported, and should bring better prices than domestic sumac as now 
cured. Sumac grows wild and abundantly on uncultivated lands, 
particularly on those east of the Mississippi Eiver. Country people,, 
especially the elderly, and women and children, can earn good wages 
from July to September by gathering and curing sumac. 
Practically the only kind of sumac gathered in this country is 
dwarf, or black {Rhus copallina) . 
Before beginning to gather, consult your local merchants or State 
experiment station to ascertain the names and addresses of buyers 
of sumac and of sumac extract makers. Be sure to arrange fully 
and clearly with the dealers as to: (1) The quantity which they will 
buy from you; (2) a supply of bags; (3) the price per hundred 
pounds ; and especially (4) an extra price for well-cured sumac leaf. 
In gathering, break the stalk close up to the leaf stem and do not 
include long bare stalks. Do not gather blooms, berries, or yellow 
or red leaves. Do not allow the gathered sumac to scald in the sun 
or to become wet with either dew or rain. Cure in the barn or 
under cover on a clean floor. Turn once or twice a day until the 
sumac is thoroughly dry and crisp. Pack and ship only in full, 
tightly packed bags. Do not bale, and do not allow dirt, stones, or 
pieces of iron to get into the bags. Such practices ultimately result 
in a loss to the gatherer. 
As now prepared for the market, domestic sumac contains less 
tannin than and is greatly inferior in color to imported Sicilian sumac. 
Proper gathering and curing will greatly improve the color of the 
domestic sumac leaf. Such leaf contains from 25 to 30 per cent of 
tannin, which is practically as much as the Sicilian leaf. 
A pound of domestic sumac extract, of 42° strength and contain- 
ing from 22 to 24 per cent of tannin, was quoted in 1929 at from 5% 
to 9y 2 cents; in 1930, from 6% to 9% cents; in 1931, from 5 to 9% 
cents ; in 1932, from 4% to 5% cents ; in 1933, from 4% to 6% cents ; 
and in 1934, from 4% to 6% cents. 
The development of the American sumac industry and the pro- 
duction of bright, uniformly and properly cured domestic sumac can 
be accomplished only through the earnest and whole-hearted cooper- 
ation of the extract makers, merchants, buyers, and gatherers. Ex- 
tract makers and buyers must make every effort to stimulate the 
proper gathering and curing by offering better prices and through 
careful instructions in proper methods of gathering, curing, and 
packing. The gatherers must help by following carefully the direc- 
tions set forth in this bulletin and by working harmoniously with the 
buyers. 
