New York AGRICULTURAL EXPPRIMENT STATION. 357 
2d. As te source of plant and seed supply, these can usually be secured 
cheaper from local growers or “Sang” hunters than from houses which 
make a business of handling the plants. If there be none of these 
“Sang” hunters in your locality it is usually best to write to all of the 
firms you know of for prices, for the price sometimes varies materially. 
Below are the names and addresses of some well-known growers: Geo. 
Stanton, Chinese Ginseng Farm, Summit Station, N. Y.; M. G. Harrison, 
Redford, Mo.; Harlan P. Kelsey, Tremont Building, Boston, Mass.; A. E. 
Leavitt, Houston, Mo.; Emanuel Lewis, Hemlock, Wis.; H. S. Seymour, 
Richland Center, Wis.; W. G. Palmer, Boydtown, Wis.; J. W. Sears, 
Sumerset, Ky.; American Ginseng Gardens, Rose Hill, N. Y.; G. F. Millard, 
Houston, Mo.; W. A. Bates, Cuba, N. Y. Seed costs at present from one 
to five dollars an ounce and plants from four to twenty dollars a hundred, 
but as indicated above both may frequently be secured much cheaper from 
local gatherers. If so secured, care must be taken that the roots be fresh 
from the ground and that the seeds be not thoroughly dried out as they 
will seldom grow in that condition. 
3d. As to methods of culture, ete., Ginseng will not grow exposed to 
the direct rays of the sun. It grows naturally in deep woods and usually 
on north and east slopes. Consequently in cultivating ginseng either a 
spot which is naturally shaded must be chosen, or artificial shade given. 
Lath screens with a one-half inch space between laths are usually used 
for this purpose. They may be placed low and be removed for purposes 
of weeding, etc., or they may be fastened on posts six feet or more above 
the ground, so that a man can work under them. The latter method 
usually gives the best satisfaction. Ginseng likes a deep rich soil which 
does not dry out too readily. Clay loam with plenty of leaf mold or 
manure worked in will do very well. If small roots be planted they will 
give quicker results than seeds, but are somewhat more expensive. Irom 
the seed it takes from six to eight years to produce marketable roots. The 
grounds should be divided into beds not wider than four feet and as long 
as may be desired, with a narrow walk in between. Since all cultivation 
of ginseng is by hand beds wider than this are difficult of access. Roots 
should be planted from three to six inches apart each way, according to 
size. Seeds will not grow until eighteen months after ripening. During 
this period they may either be planted or mixed with moderately moist 
leaf mold and loam, and stored where they will not dry out, as once thor- 
oughly dry the seed will not germinate. Seed may be sown in either 
spring or fall in rows three inches apart and one inch apart in the row 
and one-half inch deep. After the bed is planted it should be covered with 
litter or leaf mold about one inch deep to prevent drying out. This should 
be covered with light brush if there is danger of its blowing off. Weeds 
must be pulled out or rather cut off as they appear and the mulch renewed 
each fall when the tops die down. Great care must be taken not to loosen 
the plants in pulling weeds as this is usually fatal. Chickens must not be 
allowed access to the beds. One of the great drawbacks to ginseng grow- 
ing is the danger of having the roots stolen. It is possible in a single night 
to lose the product of several years’ work. On this account it is usually 
best to make the beds close to the house or some other point where they 
can be constantly watched. When the roots are large enough to dig they 
