PHARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 
17 
evening the drug should be heaped and covered with canvas to prevent 
the reabsorption of moisture from the atmosphere. Fleshy drugs 
(roots, rhizomes, tubers) may be left uncovered for the first few nights. 
Some drugs can no doubt be dried in the field on the ground, as most 
herbs, mustard, fennel, caraway, mountain balm and some others. 
Whether artificial heat is necessary or desirable must be ascertained 
experimentally. Suitable arrangements for artificial drying will gener- 
ally give the best results. Kilns like those used in the hop-growing 
areas of California will serve for drying leaves, herbs, flowers, etc. Such 
drugs as jalap, rheum, curcuma, ginger, salep, sarsaparilla, and a few 
others are often dried in ovens, in houses over an open flame, and in 
other artificial ways, but that is done only in countries where the sun 
and natural dry air is not available. 
Packing and Shipping . — As soon as the drug is thoroughly dried, it is 
ready for packing and shipping. No drug should be packed, either in 
small or large packages, unless thoroughly dry throughout. Containers, 
for shipment, whether large or small, should be porous so as to permit 
the escape of atmospheric moisture and the escape of moisture, slight 
though it may be, from the drug itself. Gunnysacks, grain sacks, 
barrels, wooden boxes, paper bags, pasteboard boxes, etc., will be found 
useful. The problem of size and nature of containers, modes of ship- 
ment, will solve itself with experience. The important facts to be 
kept in mind are that the drug should be thoroughly dry when packed, 
should be put into dry, clean, porous containers, should be stored in a 
dry place, and should be kept dry in shipment. 
Marketing Drugs . — It may be assumed that no one will attempt the 
cultivation of any drug unless there is a market for it. Nor is it rea- 
sonable to suppose that growers will so glut the market as to reduce the 
market value very considerably within, say, several years. No doubt the 
numerous ginseng plantations which have sprung up all over the United 
States within recent years will sooner or later reduce the market value 
of this drug, but such effect is not yet appreciable. The grower can 
easily ascertain by inquiry where he can dispose of his product. 
Whether he deals with the wholesale houses or with the retail druggist 
will depend upon his personal inclinations, desires, and ideas of business. 
Drug Culture and Manufacture . — In many instances it would be most 
desirable, or even necessary, for the grower to become manufacturer. 
The grower of lavendula, for example, should manufacture and market 
the oil of lavender. The California growers of insect flowers manu- 
facture and also market the insect powder (buhacli) . The manufacturer 
of belladonna plasters should cultivate the belladonna required in his 
business. The grower of mints should also manufacture the oil and 
menthol. This applies especially to the growers of those drugs which 
2 — BP 
