Name/Title
Business, Histories, Ginseng Production, Earl JohnsonScope and Content
GINSENG PRODUCTION
Notes from Earl Johnson. June 15, 1966
The cultivation of ginseng in the Waupun area was started in 1908 by Carl Johnson as a development of an interest in collecting roots of the wild ginseng - a hobby which he stared with his brother-in-law, Charlie Bush.
The red seed berries were gathered and planted in a 3 by 4 foot seed bed through holes drilled in a planting board. After two years' growth the plants were transplanted, 6 inches apart, into larger beds where growth was continued for five years or more. Roots were then dug, washed, dried for about three months, fibrous rootets removed ond the product shirped to drug houses for shipment to China or for other disposition. Some was consumed in the raw state, some sold in powdered form. Parke Davis Company manufactured a ginseng tablet. About five pounds of fresh root was requirnd to produce one pound of dry root.
The general area now bounded by Beaver Dam, West Lincoln, Hillyer and West Brown streets was used for raising ginseng. Actually, however, only about one and one half acres were under cultivation ot any one time. A number of beds were in various stages of development at all times to insure a harvest each year. Soil for growing ginseng was carefully prepared,often requiring tile drainag. Since indirect light and partial shade are required for successful growth the beds were provided with lath slat roofing. Leaves were gathered from all over town to cover the beds
for winter protection. Carl's son, Earl Johnson, recalls that leaves from Carrington street were considered the best for this purpose because of the many oak trees there. Much hard work was required for production of ginseng and many hazards encountered - blight, insects, adverse weather conditions, to mention a few. Earl Johnson recalls that mosquitoes were a plague to the workers.
In spite of the problems encountered ginseng production continued to be Profitable until an embargo on shipments forced it's discontinuance in the 1930's. Price at that time was $3.50 per pound.
Notes from Encyclopaedia Brittanica
Gingeng is the root of a species of Panax (P. schinseng) and in native to Manchuria and Korea. The American variety is known as Panax quinquefolium .... The root is frequently forked and it is probably owing to this circumstance that medicinal properties were in the first place attributed to it, it's resemblance to the body of a man being supposod to Indicate that it could restore virile power to the aged and Impotent. Action of the drug appears to be psychic and compnisble to that of the mandrake of the Hebrews.Acquisition
Accession
2001.0034Source or Donor
Waupun Historical SocietyAcquisition Method
Collected by Staff