IS THAT OLD ROOT REALLY WILD
GINSENG?
By Scott Harris
September, 1999
From the late 1800’s through about 1910 there was an immense interest in the cultivation of ginseng throughout New York State. Many trappers, woodsmen and entrepreneurs became involved in starting their own gardens. The availability of ginseng seed was limited and New Yorkers had to rely on purchasing seeds from other states. Seed was often secured from growers in Kentucky, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia and other well-known ginseng producing states. One company offered stratified seed in 1902 at $16.00 per 1000, the equivalent of $112.00 per pound! At more than triple the average month’s wages, you can see this would constitute quite a large investment for the average person. Believe me, these seeds were treasured and most assuredly planted with the utmost care in locations "friendly" to ginseng. These are the same locations that the modern wild-crafter frequents today in his search for the "wild" ginseng plant. So, the next time you dig that old 50, 60 or 70+ year old root, remember that you are more than likely digging the root that grew from a planted seed or it’s offspring from who knows where and was most likely derived from a cultivated plant. Our thanks should go out to these pioneers of 100 years ago that had the foresight to plant and re-plant ginseng seeds/roots. If the 160+ members of the ESGGA would plant one ounce of ginseng seeds per year in the wild, we would be responsible for adding over 70,000 potential ginseng plants back into our woodlands. Over the past few years, my wife and myself, along with Bob Beyfuss are personally responsible for the planting of over one quarter of a million ginseng seeds back into their natural environment without ever returning to harvest the "roots of our labor".
By bringing this fact to the surface, it will assuredly anger the many environmental groups that have directed their efforts to saving the "wild" ginseng. Whom, I might add, have my utmost respect and support in achieving their goals of protecting this beautiful native plant, but common sense must prevail. The call for the total ban on the digging of "wild" ginseng will do nothing more than accelerate the extirpation of the existing plants. I am of the belief that there is very little, if any, "true" wild ginseng remaining today, only old cultivated ginseng.
Sylvan Botanicals Catskill Mountain Ginseng
P.O. Box 91
Cooperstown, NY ~13326~