104 
PHARMA COONOSY. 
extended generalizations, still, the following general 
rules for the collection of various drugs may be given: 
(1) Roots, rhizomes and barks should be collected 
immediately before the vegetative life-processes begin 
(in the spring) or immediately after the vegetative 
processes cease (usually in the fall). 
(2) Leaves should be collected when the C0 2 assimi- 
lation process is most active; usually about the time 
of development of the flowers and before mature 
development of fruit and seed. 
(3) Flowers should be collected prior to or just 
about the time of pollination. 
(4) Fruits should be collected near the ripening 
period ( i.e ., full grown but unripe). 
(5) Seeds should be collected when fully matured. 
The preservation of vegetable drugs is likewise deserv- 
ing of careful consideration, and attention should be 
given to the influence of temperature, moisture, the 
attacks of insects, and also air and light. The temper- 
ature of the room or part of the store devoted to the 
storage of dry drugs should not be more than about 
70° F., and nearly uniform throughout the year. 
Drugs containing volatile principles require to be 
kept in air-tight containers, as the labiate and 
composite herbs and wild-cherry bark. Air-tight tin 
cans are probably the most economical and satisfac- 
tory containers for the purpose, and it has been sug- 
gested to paint the edges of the cans with melted 
beeswax. Drugs are sometimes stored in wooden 
boxes or in drawers. This method is objectionable, 
not only because they are more liable to deteriorate, 
but because the odors are communicable from one to 
the other. The storage of drugs in parcels is the worst 
form of preservation, particularly, as is usually the 
case, when the different parcels are stored together. 
