March 4 , 
I$0 
NOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS 
Cultivated Ginseng Not Liked. —Indi¬ 
cations are not lacking that the ginseng 
craze, so far as the speculative trade in 
seed and young plants with eager ama¬ 
teurs is concerned, is about over. Sensa¬ 
tional claims are still made of the vast 
profits to be gained from this plant, bul 
the unpleasing fact is now evident that 
cultivated American ginseng meets a 
chilly reception in China, very few sales 
being made at anything like the price re¬ 
ceived for the wild root. It is claimed 
garden-grown root does not cure well by 
ordinary means, and consumers fear that 
it lacks the special virtues attributed to 
the wild article. As chemists and occi¬ 
dental medical investigators find no qual¬ 
ities in ginseng not possessed in greater 
degree by ordinary licorice root, its sole 
utility lies in the value placed on it by the 
imagination of the Celestials. When the 
Chinese had access only to the ginseng of 
their own country, where it grows quite 
sparingly, they had the most extravagant 
notions of its medical virtues and will¬ 
ingly paid its weight in gold for the first 
shipments of American root that reached 
them. The price of imported ginseng in 
China has ever since been declining, not¬ 
withstanding the exhaustion of wild col¬ 
lections, and it seems that confidence in 
its medical efficiency must be weakening. 
At any rate, cultivated root from this 
country will have to be cured in a more 
acceptable manner than at present if it is 
to be grown and exported at a profit. 
Already our more conservative ginseng 
growers advise curtailment in the output 
of seeds and the sale of young plants, 
'they also deprecate the further exploita¬ 
tion of ginseng as a “get-rich-quick” crop, 
and are endeavoring to put it on the basis 
of a legitimate commercial culture to re¬ 
place an exhausted natural resource. 
Golden Seal in Place of Ginseng.— 
The National Department of Agriculture 
has been investigating the cultural possi¬ 
bilities of golden seal, a plant in great 
and growing demand for its sterlino- med¬ 
ical qualities, and which is now threat¬ 
ened with virtual extinction in its wild 
state. Unlike ginseng, there is no ques¬ 
tion as to its high medicinal value. Golden 
seal has been used with excellent effect 
since the settlement of North America as 
a tonic for the digestive organs and as a 
healing application to the various mucous 
surfaces. Something over 50 years ago 
golden seal became an article of com¬ 
merce, and its use has been constantly in¬ 
creasing throughout the civilized world. 
Chemists have been able to extract from 
its rhizome or rootstock the valuable ac¬ 
tive principles hydrastin, berberin and 
canadin. The drug is now largely used 
in these concentrated forms and in a fluid 
extract rather than in the crude state as 
formerly. Bulletin No. 51, Bureau of 
Plant Industry, United States Department 
of Agriculture, is devoted to this interest¬ 
ing plant, and contains an account of cul¬ 
tural experiments successfully carried out 
at the Washington trial grounds. 
What is Golden Seal? —Golden seal, 
Hydrastis Canadensis, is a dwarf member 
of the crow-foot or Ranunculus family, 
formerly growing in greater or less 
abundance in rich open woodlands over a 
great portion of the eastern United 
States, ranging from Georgia and Mis¬ 
souri to New York and Minnesota. It is 
a perennial plant, sending up two good- 
sized palmate leaves about a foot high. 
j ne solitary flower is greenish-white, in¬ 
conspicuous and very short-lived, followed 
by a fruit much resembling a large, bright 
red raspberry. This berry is not edible, 
but gives the occasional name of ground- 
raspberry to the plant, and contains a 
number of small black seeds that are very 
slow to germinate under garden condi¬ 
tions. The valuable portion is the short, 
thickened rhizome or rootstock, which is 
yellow and generally marked with several 
seal-like scars where the leaves of former 
years have fallen away. When dried these 
rootstocks run from one to two inches in 
length, and from one-eighth to one-third 
inch in diameter, and form the golden seal 
of commerce. The price of golden seal 
has fluctuated widely for the last 10 years, 
owing to alternate scarcity and over sup¬ 
ply, as well as manipulation of the mar¬ 
kets, from 17 cents a pound in August, 
1895, to $1.50 a pound in August, 1904. 
The tendency for several past years has 
been towards better prices, and is likely 
to increase rather than diminish until the 
cultivated root is put on the market in 
quantity. 
The Culture of Golden Seal. —The 
Washington experiments have been going 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
on since ihc Spring of 1899 , and tend lo 
show that golden seal may be successfully 
cultivated if its natural conditions of 
growth are fairly well imitated. Like gin¬ 
seng, it must have partial shade and a 
rich, light soil containing a large amount 
of humus or decayed vegetable matter 
thoroughly incorporated to the depth of 
eight inches or more. This humus is best 
secured by the addition of leaf mold and 
by mulches of leaves, straw, old stable 
manure and similar materials. A suitable 
and effective shade is made by screens 
of plastering lath nailed on frames an 
inch apart, and supported on cedar or 
other durable posts six feet or more 
above the beds, so that the gardener may 
comfortably work under them. Shade 
screens of this character give the entire 
use of the soil to the plants, which are not 
robbed of moisture and nourishment as 
when planted under the shade of trees, 
l he plants are grown in rows one foot 
apart and six inches from each other in 
the rows, so that over 85,000 may be 
grown to the acre if no allowance is made 
for paths and the space occupied by posts 
supporting the screens. The cost of the 
lumber for an acre of screens is estimated 
at from $500 to $700, exclusive of cost of 
erection. The Department trials only 
cover one-tenth acre, and the yield, calcu¬ 
lated from a square rod of soil, is placed 
at 5,120 pounds of green root or 1,500 of 
the dried or commercial product. 
Propagation of Golden Seal. —Seeds 
have so far not been successfully germi¬ 
nated in these trials, but the plant was 
quite successfully propagated by division 
of the rhizome, as two or more buds are 
formed each year for the next season’s 
growth. The rhizome is divided, just like 
the paeony, in as many pieces as there 
are sound buds, giving each piece a por¬ 
tion of the rootstock as well as the bud 
and some fibrous roots. The increase by 
this means is something over 200 per cent. 
A slower method is by nursing dormant 
buds found on the fibrous roots some dis¬ 
tance away from the rhizome. In respect 
to propagation and time to mature crop 
golden seal seems to have distinct advan¬ 
tages over ginseng, which is of exceed¬ 
ingly slow growth and can only be raised 
from seeds. Ginseng needs from five to 
seven years to grow to- marketable size; 
many of the best collected roots are sup¬ 
posed to be over 30 years old. Golden 
seal is at its best in three years, and may 
be marketed or used for propagation after 
two years’ growth. It does not promise 
a glittering bonanza at present prices, but 
does seem to offer fairly remunerative 
prospects for those who are willing to 
make moderate investments in a little- 
tested enterprise and are endowed with 
the patience and aptitude to carry it 
through. The price of this drug is so 
subject to market fluctuations that any 
considerable increase • in the _ supply 
through cultivation might reduce it below 
a profitable level. 
The Ward Blackberry. —This unusual¬ 
ly promising blackberry was first noticed 
as a fence-row seedling in Monmouth Co., 
N. J., near where Kittatinny and other va¬ 
rieties had been grown in former years. 
The seedling bore such fine berries and 
was so thrifty, hardy and productive that 
it was transplanted to the owner’s garden 
and later propagated and grown for mar¬ 
ket, where it invariably brings the highest 
prices for fine appearance, size and qual¬ 
ity. A special committee of the New Jer¬ 
sey Horticultural Society visited the fruit¬ 
ing fields two years ago and unanimously 
recommended the variety in the highest 
terms for commercial planting. The writ¬ 
er visited the plantation of David Baird, 
Baird, N. J., last August, and confesses 
surprise at the vigor of the canes, the 
great crop, large size and fine quality of 
the berries, after the unusually severe 
Winter of 1903-4, that put practically all 
standard varieties out of business for the 
season. Up to this time the Ward black¬ 
berry has shown no signs of weakness or 
disease, and has proven itself exceptionally 
hardy and productive. Fig. 69 , page 163 , is 
a fair representative of a fruiting twig 
about natural size. Hundreds of similar 
branches could be cut in any part of the 
field at the time of our visit. The canes 
are very sturdy, and there are noticeably 
few suckers. The berries are jet black 
when ripe, firm and of the highest quality. 
They do not redden after picking and can 
be shipped long distances. In plant and 
fruit the Ward seems nearly to reproduce 
the fine old Kittatinny without any of its 
weaknesses. It is not likely to succeed 
everywhere as it does in New Jersey, but 
is certainly worthy of trial wherever good 
blackberries are appreciated. w. v. f. 
l/> 
b 
U 
in 
CM 
PISOS CURE FOR 
CURES WHERE ALL ELSE FAILS 
Best Cough Syrup. Tastes Good. 
Use in time. Sold by druggists. 
N 
U1 
o 
H 
cn 
CONSUMPTION 
A HOOK WORTH IIA VINO. 
One of the most complete and compre¬ 
hensive handbooks on garden tools ever 
published is the 1905 Planet Jr. catalogue 
of S. L. Allen & Co., Philadelphia. It is a 
veritable mine of information, so valuable 
that no farmer or gardener can afford to lie 
without it. The catalogue is beautifully illus¬ 
trated, and carefully describes the famous 
Planet Jr. garden tools—implements whose 
popularity extends to every quarter of the 
globe. One of the leaders of this line is the No. 4 
Planet Jr. Combined Seeder, shown herewith. 
Fitted as shown. No. 4 is a thoroughly de¬ 
pendable seeder, either for continuous rows 
or hills. It is simple in construction, and 
cannot get out of order. But a moment is re 
quired to connect it into a cultivator or plow, 
capable of doing the finest kind of work in 
hoeing, furrowing, ridging, marking, etc. 
Among other Planet Jr. tools are plain and 
combined seeders, wheel hoes, one and two 
horse cultivators, harrows, etc. 
The catalogue is sent free upon request to S. 
L. Allen & Co.. Box 1107 V, Philadelphia. Pa. 
GOOD 
AGENTS 
WANTED 
n I Ml SMALL GRAIN 
IjlKlIHlJ AT HOME 
Don't pay out grinding charges having 
large amount of grain ground at the 
mill,which grows stale before being 
use d. The 
Black Hawk 
Crist Mill 
grinds wheat, rye, rice, coffee, 
spices, and in fact all small grains, 
fine or coarse as desired, cither for table or farm use. You 
can grind as much as you need for your immediate wants, 
thus insuring fresh ground grain at any time. The Black 
Hawk not only pays for itself by saving grinding charges, 
but is a constant money-maker for you. Poultry raisers find 
the Black Hawk invaluable for cracking corn. The mill is 
simple in construction, easily taken apart, cleaned and set 
up. The grinding-plates are of hardest metal, all the bear¬ 
ings are chilled, and the long malleable iron crank makes 
grinding easy. All parts are interchangeable and can be re¬ 
placed at any time. Sent prepaid on receipt of S3. OO. 
A. H. PATCH, Sole Manufacturer, CLARKSVILLE, TENN 
R.ed CKief 
Corn Shelter 
(Patented.) 
Guaranteed to do better work than any 
other hand sheller made. -Closed hop¬ 
per. Can’t pinch fingers, adjusts itself 
to any size ear. 
Gets All The Corn 
Shells every grain without 
cracking any of them; al ways 
throws cob outside the vessel. 
Clamps to barrel or keg same 
as straight edge box. An 
easy runner and lasts indefi¬ 
nitely. We furnish all re¬ 
pairs free. Circularsentfree. 
Send for special fariners’ofier. 
BRINLY-HARDY CO. 
253Main St. Louisville, Ky. 
A LEAKY TANK 
is an abomination. 
CALDWELL 
Tanks don’t leak. They 
are made right. We build 
tanks of UverlaHting Cy¬ 
press; alao White Pine. 
We have hundreds we 
can reler to In your 
vicinity. Bend for Illus¬ 
trated catalogue a n d 
price llat. 
W. E. CALDWELL CO. 
Louisville, Ky 
I Something New I 
A cast iron 
■Stone Boat Head; 
more durable than wood. Boat can be 
made by auy farmer with common straight I 
plank and tnis head will outwear a dozen of ! 
the old sty lt>. Costs less to make. Send for cata¬ 
logue an a prices of this and our complete line | 
of farm tools. 
ROSS BROTHERS, Worcester, Mass. 
Potash as Necessary as Rain 
The quality and quantity of the 
crops depend on a sufficiency of 
Potash 
in the soil. Fertilizers which are 
low in Potash will never produce 
satisfactory results. 
Every farmer should be familiar with the 
proper proportions of ingredients that go to 
make the best fertilizers for every kind of 
crop. \Ve have published a senes of books, 
containing the latest researches on tins all- 
important subject, which we will send free 
if you ask. Write now while you think of 
it to the 
CERMAN KALI WORKS 
98 Nassau Street, New York. 
Tho Cheapest Roof Ever Rut On 
A new rubber roofing that for wearing qualities 
and cost cannot be equaled. Weather, rain, sun- 
F roof-fire-resisting. Water runs off It like It does 
rom a duck’s back- that’s why It’s soak-proof. 
That’s why It lasts for years-wliy It don’t shrivel 
or warp, but Instead, hardens and toughens like 
iron. Roofing that absorbs moisture, whether 
shingles or prepared material will soon give out; 
the swelling and contracting causes ltto loosen 
and rot. The sun draws out with the evaporating 
moisture It’s very life - It’s wearing qualltles- 
loaving adead, tlnder-llke substance that soon be¬ 
comes as easily soaked with molstureasablanket. 
A test of H. B. RUBBER ROOFING soon 
proves It Is best whil'e the cost is very small. 
91-23 Per Roll- 10B SQuaro Root 
Just figure out what It would cost to cover the 
roof of your house, barn, shed, or poultry house, 
and then figure that It will outlast any other roof¬ 
ing and you’ll find it the cheapest roofing ever 
put on. Can belaid over old shingles,the only tool 
necessary is a hammer. Requires no painting and 
does not taint the rain water. Suitable for any cli¬ 
mate.,Excellent for siding or lining purposes. 
Each Roll contains nails, caps and cement sufli- 
clentto lay It. Comes In three thicknesses.One-ply 
81.25 two-ply 81.90 three-ply82.75per square 
of 108 sq. ft. SEND FOI BOOKLET “V" & FREE SAMPLES. 
Harris Bros. LOOMIS A 35th, STS, yCNICAGO- 
Never Jumps the Track. 
Cannot be pushed, hooked or blown ofF; don’t bind or 
run hard. "The best hanger on earth" is the 
FLEXIBLE DOUBLE TREAD 
BARN DOOR HANGER. 
Double set of hsngers. Absolute center draft. Carrier wheels 
are roller hearing- Always true ami easy running, never out of 
order. Auk for free catalog of liay Tools and field and farm 
hardware appliances. 
LOUDEN MACHINERY CO., 39 Broadway, Falrfield.lt. 
<~\ a S"T?.teo quick 
STAND BY 
Hammer 
Hatchet 
Screw Driver 
Staple Puller 
Nall Claw 
Wire Cutter 
Leather Punch 
Fincher. 
8 TOOLS IN One: 
o Every Farmer Wants One at Sight 
2 Ono of our agents says ho will make 11500 next year. Wet>«» 
** lieve he can. Thlals tho best Beller wo ev*>r saw Write for 
OO Src-i.« 0<Tim and t* Ao*nts. Make money now 
J. B Foote (Dept. 14) Fdry. Co., Frederlcktown,0. 
The Great Agents Supply House. 
CALIFORNIA FOR lOt 
Western Kinpire” a 32-pagemag- 
lazineof the wonderful industrial development, 
horticultural pursuits and stories of adventure on 
the Pacific Coast. 6 months trial for only 10 cents. 
Empire Pub. Co.,115Times Block., Los Angeles, CaL 
THE FARMERS CEMEHT BRICK AHD BLOCK MACHINE 
The only machine that makes both Bricks and Hollow Building Blocks. Price. $50.00. One liarrel 
Cement, six of sand. Two men two hours work, make 500 brick. Cheaper for many purposes than wood. 
Write to 
Birmingham Stone & Concrete Works, West Chester, Penn. 
fir W I PRAURPRI AIM Proprietor of the Ohio Fanner Experi 
Uli Y» i !■ uflfllVlDLnLHlII) mental Farm at Hudson. O.. after having 
used a trial order of 200 last year has purchased 800 more Grimm Spouts, 
equipping his entire sugar camp for the coining season. In this he follows 
the example of Vermont's largest and best sugannakers. Learn the 
Grimm System. Circular “G'' tells it all. It and sample spout, free. 
Save your trees increase your income; one-fourth more sap guaranteed. 
Address G. H. GRIMM, Rutland, Vt. 
Factories at Rutland, Vt., Montreal, P. Q. and Hudson, O. 
Ball-Bearing Grindstones 
Yelox Grindstones are modern in all particulars—highest quality- 
easy to run. We guarantee them. No more lame hacks. Perfectly 
steady action. Best results In grinding all tools, even the finest. Abso¬ 
lutely the leader among grindstones and Its price only $3.50. Think of It! 
That’s the factory price. Stones are carefully selected Berea Grit, 20 
Inches lu diameter, 2 to 2hj Inches thick, average weight GO pounds. 
The Velox frame Is angle steel, strongly reinforced—positively no 
vibration while stone Is In motion. Treadles so attached that machine 
Is operated with 50 per cent, of power required to operate others. This 
proven by actual test. Water supply easily regulated. Journals are 
steel, ball-bearing and balls can’t fall out. Axles made of steel, accu¬ 
rately centered—can’t break. Weight, when folded ready for shipment, 
85 pounds. We give absolute guarantee of satisfaction with Velox Ball- 
Bearing Grindstone. We wouldn’t do this If we didn’t know how good 
they are, and the price, remember. Is only $3.50. Send your order to-day. 
We will prove that the Velox Is all we claim. 
CASH SUPPLY & MFG. CO., 
385 Lawrence Square. Kalamazoo, Mlcju_ 
