( 33 ) 
mould. Shade and moisture are essential, and under 
careful management the rooted cuttings should be 
ready to plant in permanent beds at the end of six 
months. 
WHEN the young plants are sufficiently large, they 
should be planted at distances of from twelve to 
eighteen inches apart in well-prepared beds about 
five feet wide, the soil having been previously 
trenched to a depth of at least two feet to allow 
the roots to penetrate. Raised beds are preferable, 
and good drainage is essential. After planting in 
the permanent beds, the surface soil should be kept 
loose by light forking with small hand forks to a 
dep£h of two or three inches, at intervals of about 
a month. The plants require shade throughout 
their period of growth, and regular watering during 
dry weather. Excessive moisture, however, is de- 
trimental and care should be taken to give only the 
requisite amount. 
Yield . — The roots may be harvested at about two 
to two and a half years from the date of planting 
in the permanent beds. A healthy plant will yield 
from six to eight good roots, which, after drying, 
weigh from one to two ozs. On a large scale the 
average yield is usually much less, the estimated 
weight of dried root being about 600 lbs. per acre 
per annum. 
The roots are prepared for the market by drying 
them as quickly as possible. The common method 
employed is sun-drying, the roots being placed under 
cover at night to avoid damp caused by dew. 
Drying can be accelerated considerably by using 
artificial heat, without affecting the quality of the 
roots. 
