INMONROE-L Archives

From: Randi Richardson <>
Subject: [INMONROE] Ginseng For Profit: Alexander/ Wilson/ Holland/ Ogden/ Stout/ Cravens
Date: Tue, 03 Apr 2001 10:42:30 -0500

Bloomington (IN) Evening World, Sep 24, 1907, p. 1.

GROW GINSENG--COMPANY FORMED
Bloomington Citizens Have Plan to Make a Little Money on the Side

Monroe County is the home of ginseng in its wild state, and a company of
Bloomington's leading citizens has been formed that has for its object the
raising of the valuable sprouts.

Six years ago, Henry Alexander of this city invested $10 in ginseng which
he planted in his baackyard, and it was all the money he ever put into the
business. Mr. Alexander took an inventory last week and found that he has
roots and seeds valued at $2,500. He had previously sold roots and seeds
amounting to $350, making his total receipts $2,850--285 times the original
investment.

The Bloomington Ginseng Company is the name of the organization. The
directors are J. B. Wilson, Judge of the Monroe and Lawrence Circuit Court;
Dr. Frank Holland, F. B. Ogden, W. A. Stout. Judge Wilson is president,
Arthur Cravens, assistant cashier of the Monroe County State Bank, is
treasurer and W. A. Stout, secretary of the company.

One of the most enthusiastic members of the company says: "We intend to
set out roots and plant seeds this fall to cover one acre. We have 14,000
roots and over 90,000 seeds on hand, which will plant more than one
acre. The four next years we intend to set out not less than one acre each
year. The average weight of ginseng seed is about 8,000 to the pound
making a little over 1278 pounds worth at $90 per pound, $115,020. The
fifth year we figure our income net will be $158,164.80."

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• [INMONROE] Ginseng For Profit: Alexander/ Wilson/ Holland/ Ogden/ Stout/ Cravens by Randi Richardson <>