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Dry weather has hindered the growth of
West Virginia's ginseng, diggers are
being advised to delay their harvests until
later in the season.
Ginseng can be legally harvested from
August 15 to November 30.
Assistant State Forester Jim Warren says
the dry weather has caused many of the
plants to lose their leaves early, making
them hard to find.
Most of the ginseng harvested in West
Virginia is shipped to Asian countries
where it is believed to cure a variety of
ailments.
Dry weather and a glut in the market
combined to reduce the state's ginseng
harvest during the 2000-2001 season by
37 percent.
Concerned about the plant's future in the
state, the Division of Forestry is
conducting a study with researchers from
West Virginia University.
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