Showing posts with label ginseng. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ginseng. Show all posts

Friday, 17 October 2014

b.Ouch! I Lost a Medium Project

The last part is here:   A Chicken Farm is Born

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! I just lost a nice medium project.

By going for the cheapo chicken farm, I had lost the opportunity to grab this medium sized project.

Moan ...

This cheapo chicken farm is so small as compared to this medium sized project.

I guessed I wasn't really thinking hard enough. I let my guards down.

This 18 November is a big day. I am engaged in a battle royal for a huge project. Let's hope that my army is in position to siege the city. Another important factor is this November is still too early for winter. I truly needed the wintry cover.

I hope my sacrifice for this medium sized is worth it.

I shan't speak too much details else tengri is angry. In life, I think I have lost too much, but I am very poor and all of these projects are almost always beyond my humble means.

Tuesday, 17 June 2014

b.Passion Business II - The Connection Needed

The last part is here:   Passion Business II - How to Grow Ginseng

The best part is that I am buying a cute little land to plant this marvel this winter. Nice price and I am going to ace it.

The next best part is that I have rented a little 10-acre nursery for $200 per year for the next 10 years. Imagine the fun I am going to get. On top of that, they throw in an alpaca barn farm for free. They simply wants me to rent their premises and occupy it and pay their taxes.

I am now securing the seedlings from the white land to start the game. Hopefully the returns of $20-30k per acre comes true.

On top of that, they wanted me to try to help them build a fresh water fish farm. Nice farmers, nice lands, nice projects.

The last best thing I heard for the day is that many lands are now selling for a song as their parents all died on them (i.e., 1920s-1930s). Over the next 15 years, many more baby boomers have to die and transfer their land holdings to their city-bound kids and most kids can't pay their huge estate taxes and they have no choice but to sell their lands on the cheap to pay for their taxes.

This is how good the news over the day.

Today every white is having a dying parent with huge land reserves and they all smiled at me hoping to find me renting their lands on the cheap. But, I am a cheapo. I don't rent lands even if it is near free. I don't want to help them on their property taxes. I want them to sell on the cheap.

I am know to pay only on average 25% of the market value and nothing more. That's how bastardy I am. I am also succeeding. A devil is not a fun guy to play with.

Sunday, 19 January 2014

p.Article - 世界上寿命最长的人 -- 李清云

在百度百科上面有一條記載歷史上壽命最長的人瑞的介紹,名叫李清雲,據說曾被紐約時報及其他國際媒體給報導過,由於活的壽命實在不尋常,我自己有點存疑,但還是將內文放在這裡,給大家參考。

世界最長壽的素食者——李清雲 

李清雲(1677-1933年),傳說中他在世256年(傳說來源:易俊傑,湖南省邵陽教育學院中文教研室主任、副教授、科普作家)是清末民國初年的中醫中藥學者,也是世界上著名的長壽老人,但無確切史料考證。在他100歲時(1777年)曾因在中醫中藥方面的傑出成就,而獲政府的特別獎勵。在他200的時候,仍常去大學講學。這期間他曾接受過許多西方學者的來訪。李清雲一生娶過24個妻子,子孫滿堂,180位後人。當時的紐約時報與時代雜誌都做了報導。按照這個年代推算,他應該生於清康熙16年(1677年),先後歷經了康熙、雍正、乾隆、嘉慶、道光、咸豐、同治、光緒、宣統九代至民國,在世256歲,是世界上極罕見的長壽星。

長壽秘訣

他認為自己健康長壽的原因有三:一是長期素食;二是內心保持平靜、開朗;三是常年將枸杞煮水當茶飲。(Wolf-berries are easy to get)“保持一種平靜的心態,坐如龜,行如雀,睡如狗” (This should be replaced by yoga.) 這就是李清雲留給後人長壽的秘訣指引。他始終認為保持一個平靜安寧的心態是長壽所必須的。他的飲食主要以米飯和少量的葡萄酒為主。(I intend to upgrade this wine to mead.)

英國、法國的醫學科研工作者得到這一消息後,便對枸杞進行了深入研究,發現枸杞中含有一種沒有 見過的維生素,便取名為“維生素X”,也稱為“駐顏維生素”。經動物實驗證實,枸杞具有抑制脂肪在纖維內蓄積、促進肝細胞的新生,降低血糖及膽固醇等作 用。枸杞的返老還童作用表現為:對腦細胞和內分泌腺有啟動和新生作用,增強荷爾蒙的分泌,清除血中積存的毒素,從而可維持體內各組織器官的正常功能。

民國二十年《萬州日報》曾載“開縣二百七十三歲老人李清雲”,一時轟動全川。1986年《氣功》雜誌第六期又刊載開縣籍人劉成勳所寫“憶二百五十六歲的長壽老人李慶遠”(即李清雲)的文章。筆者利用參與編修地方誌之便,對李清雲在開縣的活動情況,廣為收集,現將所得資料加以整理,供有興趣者參考。

李清雲,原名陳遠昌,籍貫不詳,傳說是上海附近的人,又說原籍雲南省。約在清嘉慶二十五年 (1820)前單身一人來到開縣陳家場上。李身材魁偉,體態肥胖,禿頭無發,皮膚光滑無皺紋,肌肉結實,來時看上去約摸五十有餘歲年紀。但自稱已一百五十 多歲(一說九十多歲到開縣定居),在一百年前來過開縣,能講出陳家場附近百年前的人名和情況。李會武功,以賣草藥為生,先借住于陳家鄉石龍村(現龍鳳 村),後移往開縣(現兼善鄉平和村),並娶妻向氏,定居於此。李生活習慣異于常人,不飲酒、不喝茶、不抽煙,吃飯定時定量,早睡早起;閒時閉目靜坐,兩手 置於膝上,昂首挺胸,幾個小時一動也不動;左手蓄長指甲,常用小竹管套在手指上保護指甲,長至六寸左右即剪下置於木匣內保存,李死時有指甲殼一小匣;平時 寡言少語,從不談及無關的話。別人問及年齡,僅答兩百多歲。究竟生於何朝、何年、何地?均無人知曉。他雖娶妻,但不同居,僅讓為其洗衣、煮飯而已。李擅長 眼科和骨傷科,1820年雇用十四歲的少年向此陽為其挑藥擔,常年遊鄉治病,對富有人家收取高額藥費供養全家生活。李閒時常到高橋附近穿心店約人打牌,他 每次都輸一百二十文左右,讓牌友贏夠當天飯食錢。李對人厚道,從不發怒,故鄰人多願與之相處,均尊稱他為李二老師(因曾有一個自稱是他哥哥的老人從上海來 陳家場探望過他)。   

民國十六年(1927),李雲青應四川軍閥楊森的邀請去萬縣傳授養身之道。楊森對李敬若上賓, 為李特製全身新衣,請照相館照相放大陳列在櫥窗裏,標明“開縣二百五十歲老人李清雲肖相,民國十六年春三月攝于萬州”。一時之間省內各報競相作為奇聞報 道,轟動全川。因李講不出養身奧秘,不久即送返家。民國二十年(1931)《萬州日報》九月十五日又載:“開縣二百七十三歲老人李清雲,已於前晚由陳家場 到萬縣,住李家花園。老人系應王師長之邀到萬縣的,在萬縣期間,老人談了長生之道只一靜字。李于此次去萬縣返家後二年(1933年,癸酉)病逝,葬於開縣 長沙鎮義學村李家灣。   

李清雲在開縣生活的時間約一百一十多年,傳奇性故事頗多。如傳說他是太平天國石達開手下的將 領,隨石達開來到四川。石達開在大渡河全軍覆沒,陳遠昌就改名李清雲,喬裝草藥醫生逃到開縣陳家場一帶避難,他能講很多太平天國的戰鬥故事。(注:石達開 在大渡河被俘是1863年,而李早40多年來到開縣)又說他會水火二遁,也能遁來錢物,因此他買藥雖掙錢不多,但家用不乏。長期打牌只輸不贏也未見過缺錢 用。還傳說他善相法。曾有開縣南門人張驥若年輕時,李算定張將來要當大官,約定算准了以後,以兩石穀子作酬謝。後來張當了四川軍閥的旅長,果真送了他兩石 穀子酬謝。   

四川省高縣慶符鎮八十老人胡英華先生在1986年獻出他保存的李清雲照片,還提供書面資料記敍 李清雲壯年時入山采藥。持刀拒虎的壯舉和掘得形似人頭的靈芝草 (This is also something I will farm in my pine/cedar trees),以及後來楊森為李祝壽的故事。現住常州市成全巷24號的開縣籍八十七歲老人劉成勳先生在 1986年《氣功雜誌第6 期沙鍋上也發表回憶李(誤為李慶遠)的文章。   

李清雲不是開縣土生土長的人,他的確年齡和來開縣前的經歷僅憑自己所講,無從考查。加之民間口頭流傳,添油加醋,越來越神秘,這才引起大軍閥楊森的興趣,以至有聘請他去萬縣傳授養身之道及登報照相等事。   

李清雲究竟有多大歲數?至今仍是個難解的秘。據現已經掌握的資料證明,李清雲至少有170 歲無疑。李清雲來開縣後雇傭的挑藥擔子的少年向此陽,是現在住在長沙鎮李家灣人黎廣松的外公,生於1806年,活了九十三歲,死於1899年。那時,李青 雲還健在。向此陽十四歲為李挑藥擔子,李當時象個五十多歲的老人,以此推算,至少活了 170 年。

野史

幾乎沒有人知道李清雲早年的身世,目前的資料只知道他出生於四川,最後也終老在了那裏。他10歲的時候出外前往甘肅,陝西,西藏,安南,暹羅和滿洲採集 草藥。隨後他的事情就基本上沒有任何記載可循。再隨後的日子裏,他就依靠為人看病出售中草藥為生,並在其右手留有長達6英寸的指甲。   

他自己也承認自己並不是出生於1677年而是1736年,也就是說他活了197歲。但在1930年時成都大學的教授胡忠謙發現了他的出生“證明”,他應該出生於1677年,當時的清政府還為他舉行了150歲和200歲的壽禮慶典。

My Comments (in blue):

When one becomes rich, they are scared to die soon. There is therefore a need to learn the art of longevity. 

The above text remained sketchy. But, all is well. More research are needed along the way.

The herbs that he consumed regularly were He Shou Wu, Ginseng, and Gou Qi Zi (Wolfberries) He ate the Wolfberries raw and cooked the He Shou Wu with the Ginseng. (I am farming He Shou Wu, Ginseng, deer antlers, parts of deer, Dang Gui, Gan Cao and wolfberries respectively.)

It is also known that he consumed 雷公根 regularly both fresh as a salad and brewed as a tea. There is also some evidence that he may have also put these four herbs (along with Dang Gui and Gan Cao) in strong liquor as a tincture and drank a swallow or two every day. (雷公根 is farmed in Bornea.)

雷公根:已经被南亚的 Ayurvedic 文化当作神经激动器使用了几千年,它可以加强大脑的功能,并减缓情绪低落和疲劳的症状。

「何首烏」這名辭及其藥效的由來,源自中國唐朝何田兒的傳奇故事 (公元813 年) 。 唐代李翱所著《何首烏錄》一書中說,唐朝順州南河縣何田兒,天生陽痿卻嗜酒,五十八歲仍單身。有天因醉夜歸,倒臥於山野,醒來看到兩株相隔三尺藤本,二藤 相交,久乃解,且前後合解三、四次。好奇下就挖其根、曬乾研成末、和酒服用,七天後天閹痊癒,娶個曾姓寡婦,生了數男,髮鬚也變黑。兒子何延秀跟著常服, 兩人都活到一百六十歲;孫子何首烏也服用,活至一百三十歲。因他們個個鬚髮黑亮,遂把這植物名為「何首烏」,其藤稱為「夜交藤」。傳說它的生長年代愈久, 藥效愈顯著,例如一些中國藥書所記述,如長筋骨、益精髓、消炎、黑髮鬚等等;呈人形者,其效更佳;甚或有千年何首烏,服用後可長生不老的傳說。

If I had to say which single herb from these had the most "anti-aging" properties I would have to say He Shou Wu!

Read an article by 李清雲 himself! 

In the fifties, the Domestic and Foreign Magazine reported the story of a 李清雲 in Sichuan province, who died at the age of 250 in 1930. It's more then possible this is the same 李清雲 mentioned above. 

In his own account (from an interview in the 1920's) Li says, "When I was 139 years old, and before I met my Master, I could still walk and do the power walk, as if I practiced Chinese martial arts. As a result some people thought I might be a deity or an accomplished swordsman. At the time I thought it was really amusing. I think the reason that I have lived this long and am still perpetually healthy is because nothing has irritated me since I was 40 years old. Because of that, my heart is very calm, peaceful and divinely tranquil. That is why I am free from any illness, and always healthy and happy. 

At the age of fifty when I went to a mountain to collect some herbs, I met an elderly man who lived on the secluded mountain. He didn't appear to be a supernormal man, but he took big strides when he walked, as if he was flying in the air. No matter how hard I tried, I could not keep up with him. Later, I met him again. I knelt before him and begged for his secret. He gave me some wild fruits and said, "My only secret is that I only eat these fruits." I took the fruits, and found that they were Chinese Wolfberries. Since then I consumed three qian of Chinese Wolfberries daily (a qian is the weight used to measure Chinese medicine which is equal to five grams). From then on I became healthy and agile. I can walk a hundred li (a li equals half a kilometer) and not feel tired. I became better in strength and stamina than an average person."

If you notice, my passion businesses are centred with this longevity in mind. Remember and analyze the herbs involved.

You will find enlightenment.

Monday, 5 August 2013

b.Passion Business II - Ginseng's Profit

The last part is here:   Passion business II - The Birth Place of Ginseng

Based on the daily palm oil price of RM2,215, that gives RM3,985 per acre (1.8x2215) or USD1,226 per acre (3985/3.25) per year (being used as a standard and guide), growing ginseng is considered superior.

After the third year, the ginseng farm would have reached full productivity. The yield per acre is about $50,000 whole sale. Not too bad for a young plantation. Seeds can be purchased at $25 per lb. So no shortage of stratified seeds. The yield will include both the seeds and the roots in the ratio of 1 : 3.

Since I have nothing much to do from now to spring, I will do some hobbies and know more gals. Maybe ask the Father to let me be his assistant Father. Must pressurize this gangster, he practizes common church belief. He seems like a nice bloke. Next week, I am attending the Mormon church service for the first time. Already got so many pretty gals asking me out.

Project Update:
  • Discussion with a stratified seed supplier is on-going. He asked for $25 per lb. I will initially need about 500 kg. I will check further. Planting will start in spring.
  • Equipment suppliers were also contacted to provide shade design and water management.
  • Soil test samples would be taken in spring too, just before planting. Adjustments to pH would be made.

Saturday, 22 June 2013

b.Passion business II - The Birth place of Ginseng

The last part is here:   b.Passion business II - How to grow Ginseng

Today, I really felt emotional. My heart is tender.

I didn't realize that I am at the exact birth place of ginseng, which I now owned. Exactly 297 years ago, at almost this very same spot, a French Jesuit priest discovered the american ginseng, growing wildly in the hills and plains. The climate is an exact replica of the plains and hills in Manchuria.

I can now die happy. I have been to the very seat of learning. I felt happy then. I felt like the top of the world, I thought I could achieve anything in this world. I was wrong! I achieve nothing but sadness. Fortunately, my father gave me another chance. Nothing can compare to the happiness now. I now finally owned a dream.

As of now, I will command 2% of the output. Within the next year, with the expanded assets, I will yield a total of 5%, a significant share in the output.

It is not likely that I will expand further in this path. I have too much fun to be stuck in just one game plan.

How far will my dream take me ... I don't know but at least I know I need not live my life in vain. I sincerely hope that all my loved ones will understand what I have gone through and come to terms that indeed I am home.

Once upon a time, I walked out of hell.
When I passed the gates of hell, the songs I sang were:
(1)   What a wonderful world - LOUIS ARMSTRONG 
(2)   Morning Has Broken - Cat Stevens
Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world.

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from Heaven
Like the first dew-fall, on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the One light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day.

Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world.

The bitterness over my lost youth was indescribable. I have lived through that now. I have no more regrets. People who needed to leave me, left. People who stayed with me, stayed. Do I still need to prove myself to anyone? Maybe. Maybe I still have a huge hole to fill. Or maybe not. Each long walk refreshes me. Sometimes, even a wild rabbit startles me.

Friday, 21 June 2013

b.Passion business II - How to grow Ginseng

The last part is here:   The Passion business-II - 冬虫草

Some learning from the web (Wikihow):
American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) is still found with some effort throughout most of the Eastern United States, but improper harvesting, urban and suburban sprawl, along with expanded agriculture and the resultant loss of habitat has caused wild ginseng to be completely extirpated, rare or threatened in many of its erstwhile places. Used in herbal medicine for thousands of years, high quality ginseng roots still fetch hundreds of dollars per pound, and patient growers can harvest considerably larger quantities using the "wild-simulated" growing method (known in its most stringent form as the "virtually wild" method). This article teaches you the basics of growing ginseng using this organic method (other methods are available but generally produce ginseng which is far less valuable). 

Obtain any necessary permits or licenses to grow and sell ginseng. State regulations on growing ginseng vary, but you will often need special permits or licenses, especially if you are growing for commercial harvest. Research regulations for your area, and contact your local extension service or state agriculture or commerce departments to find out what you need to do to legally grow. You should also look into organic certification well before planting your seeds. The "wild-simulated" method as described here is organic.

Get land in the right place. If you want to grow ginseng using the "wild-simulated" method, you'll need to have land within the plant's natural range. In the U.S. ginseng grows in nearly every state east of or bordering the Mississippi River as well as in Oregon and Washington. Ginseng is not heat-tolerant, so in southern states it is usually found only in mountainous areas.

Select a suitable site. Ginseng grows best in well-shaded sites (especially north- or east-facing slopes) of moist hardwood forests, especially where tulip poplar, maple, beech, hickory, walnut, and, sometimes, oak trees are present. The more mature the forest (with large hardwood trees and a full canopy that shades out most shrubs, briars, etc.), the better, as a thick under story of smaller plants will over shade or out compete ginseng.
  • Probably the best way to determine if a site is appropriate is to look for wild ginseng growing there.
  • Since wild ginseng is so rare, you can also get some idea of suitability if "companion plants" such as trillium (Trillium s.p.p.), cohosh (Caulophyllum thalactroides-blue, Cimicifuga racemosa-black), jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema atrorubens), wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), and Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum biflorum) are present.
  • In addition, be aware that ginseng poachers are a serious problem: be sure to choose a spot that is hidden from public view and not near a hiking trail or roadway.
Get soil tests. The soil should be loamy, without excessive clay, and should be well-drained. When you have a site in mind, take several soil samples of equal quantity from around the site and mix them together in a plastic bucket. Bring the bucket to your local extension service office, land grant university or other testing site (contact these offices for more details on sampling) to have a soil analysis performed. While ginseng can grow in a variety of soil chemical compositions, (and there is some dispute over what conditions are necessary) the ideal pH for ginseng is about 4.5 to 5.5 (somewhat acid soil), and calcium levels should be about 4,000 pounds per acre. Phosphorus should be present in concentrations of at least 95 pounds per acre to encourage larger roots.

Fertilize if necessary. If you find a site that is perfect except for its soil chemistry, you may wish to amend the soil in the plot to adjust the pH or increase the quantities of phosphorus or calcium. The "wild-simulated" growing method demands no tilling be done to the soil, so simply apply the fertilizer to the surface of the soil. The soil pH may be raised by adding lime (calcium carbonate), and calcium level can be increased--without altering pH--by the addition of gypsum (calcium sulfate). If you’re trying to grow your plants organically, make sure whatever fertilizer options you choose are consistent with organic growing practices. The best option is not to fertilize at all, and the wide plant spacing recommended in this article may make soil amendments unnecessary even with less than ideal soil chemistry.

Order and pay for stratified ginseng seeds. When a ginseng plant produces seeds in the wild, the seeds do not sprout the following year. Instead, they require a year of stratification, a process in which the seeds lose the flesh of the berries that encase them and gain enough energy to sprout. Most ginseng seeds that you can purchase are stratified already, but "green" seeds are also available, often at half the price. Buy the stratified seeds—you won’t have to wait a year after planting for them to sprout—from a reputable grower, if possible one from your area.

Sow the seeds in the fall, after the leaves have fallen from the trees. Ginseng seeds must be sown in late fall or early winter, and planting should occur when the ground is moist, such as after a rain or snow. Space the seeds at least 14-18 inches (35-45 cm) apart. To plant, clear leaf debris and use a knife blade to verify that there are at least 2 inches (5 cm) of soil before you hit any layer of rock. Dig a small hole about 1/4 inch (6 mm) deep, drop a seed in the hole, and then close the hole, firmly press the soil down, and cover with up to 3 inches (15 cm) of the leaf debris.

Mark the plot discreetly or locate it using a GPS device. You’re not going to need to visit the site much, and the look of the forest can change a great deal over the 7+ years until your plants reach maturity, so make sure you can find them again. The best way to do this is to use a GPS device to determine the exact coordinates of the plot. This way you don’t leave any visible mark that might invite poachers. If you must mark the plot, make sure your markers don’t readily draw attention. 

Wait. You'll need to wait about 7-10 years for your plants to mature, but with the right site and a little luck, growing ginseng with the wild-simulated method requires a lot of patience, but almost no maintenance. Periodically check the crop for pest or fungus problems, and have a soil analysis performed every year or two, particularly if you needed to amend the soil to begin with. Other than that, just let the plants grow as they would in nature. They will compete with other plants, and many will probably die, but the hardships that the "wild" plants endure are what give them their unique character and a price 10 or 20 times higher than cultivated ginseng.

Harvest mature plants. Given how long it takes ginseng to reach maturity, you’ll probably want to harvest your plants as soon as you can, but if you’re not in any hurry you can leave them in the ground for 10, 20, or 100 years and they can continue to grow.
  • Dig carefully so as not to damage the root.
    Dig carefully so as not to damage the root. Use a pitchfork or needle-nose spade to dig under the plant, and leave plenty of space (about 6 inches or 15 cm) between the plant and where you push the pitchfork or spade into the ground. That said, be respectful of nearby plants and disturb them as little as possible. If the plant is close to immature ginseng plants, use a smaller implement such as a stout flat blade screwdriver about 8 or 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) long, and work with extra care. If there is any risk of damaging the roots of adjacent immature ginseng plants, do not attempt to harvest the plant.
  • Wash and dry the root(s). Briefly soak the roots in a bucket of cool water to remove excess soil. Then place the roots in a single layer on a wood tray (do not touch ginseng with metal) and wash them under a sink faucet or with a hose. Do not scrub them or wash them too vigorously—some of the medicinal chemicals are concentrated in the root hairs, and removal of these hairs will decrease the usefulness and value of the root. Make sure the roots are not touching and let them dry on a wooden rack in a well-ventilated room.
Tips
  • Once your plants begin to produce fruit, they will naturally reseed the plot each year, so you will have a truly sustainable crop. If you want to ensure a continuous crop, however, you can add seed in the first and second years, when your plants will not likely produce fruit.
  • It’s hard waiting 7 years for any return on your investment, so after the first couple years, consider harvesting some of the leaves to make ginseng green tea, which is fetching increasingly high prices in natural foods stores. You can also collect and sell some of the seeds, either stratifying them yourself or selling them "green".
  • Order and pay for seeds in the summer to be delivered in the fall. If you wait until fall, quantities will be limited, and you’ll be getting the dregs.
  • Proper spacing helps prevent fungus and disease problems. Although you may lose some plants to disease, you won’t likely lose them all as you might if they’re too close together. Companion plants such as goldenseal may also reduce pest and disease problems. If fungus gets out of hand, contact your local extension office for advice before breaking out the fungicide.
  • The only pests you’ll have to worry about are deer and digging mammals, such as voles. Normal populations of deer likely won’t significantly damage your crop, but if overpopulation of deer is a problem in your area, consider using guard dogs. Because of the wide spacing in this method, digging mammals generally won’t be much of a problem either, but consider using traps (not poisons) and other organic deterrents if necessary.
  • If ginseng seeds are allowed to dry out, they’ll die and be useless. You can verify the viability of a seed by dropping it in a dish of water. If it floats, it’s dry and dead.
  • Some farmers completely replace the top soil when planting a new crop. They even don't let the tractor tires contaminate new soil with traces of old soil, so they clean them.
Warnings
  • To ensure survival of the species (and to avoid being fined or imprisoned), always follow your state’s laws regarding the growth and sale of wild-simulated ginseng.
  • Growing ginseng has in the past been a good way to save for retirement: you can plant a crop cheaply, and after a decade reap a rich harvest. As long as the price of ginseng stays high (and there is little reason to believe that it won't), growing the plant can still be a viable investment option. However, given the risks inherent with growing any crop, the chance of poaching, and the uncertainty of the market, make sure you have a backup plan.
  • Beware cheap seeds. The collection and stratification of seeds is an intensive process that requires extra care. Reputable suppliers will do it right, and you’ll be charged accordingly.
  • Exercise caution to prevent poaching. The best defense against poachers is secrecy. Make sure your crop is on your private property, well-hidden and unlikely to be disturbed. Don’t talk about it any more than necessary, and only deal with reputable suppliers and buyers. As plants approach maturity, be especially watchful. Should you catch poachers, try to deter them and have them apprehended by law enforcement officers.
  • Be careful when confronting potential poachers, and avoid using force or violence to repel them.
The commercial harvesting of American ginseng began in Canada in 1716 after a Jesuit priest, working among the Iroquois, heard of the root so valued by the Chinese. Reasoning that the environment of French Canada closely resembled that of Manchuria, he began searching for examples of this wondrous herb growing in the Canadian hardwood forests and after three months of searching he discovered American ginseng growing near Montreal. Thus began a vigorous export of ginseng from Canada to China where American ginseng quickly became much in demand. Before long ginseng was discovered growing in the wild in New England, New York , Massachusetts and Vermont and many an American fortune was made on the ginseng trade.
By the end of the nineteenth century, however, the wild root was near extinction in North America due to over-harvesting and the destruction of its natural habitat. At this point, farmers began cultivating the sensitive plant and after numerous failed attempts the first harvests of cultivated ginseng reached the market. From 1880 to1960 the ginseng trade experienced many ups and downs for reasons as diverse as blight and world wars but since the 1960s the trade in American ginseng has grown steadily.
Project Update:
(2)   Land is fully allotted for the "wild-simulated" growing method of ginseng. Due to the large size of the land requirement of this method. This may burn 5 years of my time running the first part. Therefore, I have to acquire more assets by end of this year for deer velvet/mink portion. Unfortunately for now, they might be mutually exclusive. A split of this passion business into its respective portions is imminent.

A beautiful day breaks.

Thursday, 13 June 2013

b.Passion business II - 冬虫草

b.Passion business II - Ginseng / Deer velvet (as a)
Recap: 人参、 鹿茸、燕窝、魚翅、花膠(肚)、灵芝、冬虫草、中黄、羚羊角、珍珠、鲍鱼、海参、各种中药材 (in order of importance). 冬虫草 (cordyceps) is number 7 baby. youtube:   interesting cordyceps fungi

魚翅、花膠(肚) are hard to come by as they can only be fished. Soon they would also be out-fished. So I have no access to these sources.

I don't yet know if I can plant such an animal at my place. I will have to explore further.

Cordyceps is a fungus that lives on certain caterpillars in the high mountain regions of China. Supplement makers are able to get enough of the product to sell because cordyceps will reproduce in the laboratory. Cordyceps is used to treat coughs, chronic bronchitis, respiratory disorders, kidney disorders, nighttime urination, male sexual problems, anemia, irregular heartbeat, high cholesterol, liver disorders, dizziness, weakness, ringing in the ears, unwanted weight loss, and opiumaddiction. It is also used for strengthening the immune system, improving athletic performance, reducing the effects of aging, promoting longer life, and improving liver function in people with hepatitis B. Some people use cordyceps as a stimulant, a tonic, and an “adaptogen,” which is used to increase energy, enhance stamina, and reduce fatigue.

But life is currently treating me well. As I was busy playing with the winery license, contacts came fast and furious. Contacts beget contacts. They now knew that I am trying my luck on a winery license. They immediately started to invite me into their homes for dinners and drinks. Great authentic food from their original home countries.

One of the dinners entailed this contact who claimed that he is currently planting lots of cordyceps in the highlands of Himalayas (first recorded as yartsa gunbu in Tibet in the 15th century and known as yarsha gumba in Nepalese and "caterpillar fungus" in English). Wow ... I now have a solid source.

He is travelling back to his Himalayas home to conduct the price and quality check for me some time later in July this year.

I am not keen to be just a trader, but I only got 2 hands. So some of the items have to be traded first.
Yes. You guess it right. The firsts of the baby boomers (1946-1965) are retiring. They have fucking huge sums of monies to spray. They need wellness, i.e., they scare to die. They want to extend their lives. So ... they will pay loads to get their act together, especially those who have been drinking toilet water for god knows how long.

Supply the rich uncles' demand.

Friday, 7 June 2013

b.Passion Business II - Ginseng / Deer velvet (as a)

Visit any chinese medical shops around the world, the first things you noticed is that all their names are amazingly similar - <company name> 参茸燕窝翅肚海味药堂.

Their most popular products are: 人参、 鹿茸、燕窝、魚翅、花膠(肚)、灵芝、冬虫草、中黄、羚羊角、珍珠、鲍鱼、海参、各种中药材 (in order of importance).

I will concentrate on the top few. The rest got time then think.

人参 (ginseng) is good for guys and gals. It promotes blood circulation. Ginseng is grown in rather cold places. Ginseng seems extremely easy to grow. I will learn how to soon enough.
Whenever it is suitable for ginseng, deers are not far away. 鹿茸 (deer velvet) is good for guys (strong cocks). Deer farming is an excellent business type. But, it is more intense than ginseng growing.

Other high-valued by-products include 鹿鞭,鹿睾丸,鹿血,鹿茸,鹿心,鹿尾巴等.

 
If I start on the deer farm, I will also start on the 貂 farm. 貂皮 (mink coats) is good for gals (showing off). Mink farm is small in land requirement. Easy to keep too.

It is good to log in this business type and reviewed later on its progress.

The third item on the medical hall's list is  燕窝 (bird's nest). This is discussed in b.Passion businesses III - Bird's nest (as a)

Project Update
(1)   An offer to the land has already been made.