One area where this practice is still significant is the gathering of wild North American ginseng, often for the Asian market.

The data about wild ginseng, a protected species, is sketchy.

In China, wild ginseng is prized as a source of focus, vitality and well-being.

It is not unknown for dried wild ginseng to retail for $1,300 a pound.

The wild ginseng is a protected species, and so by state law may only be picked from Sept. 1 through Nov. 30.

If simulated wild ginseng takes root, it could prove a valuable resource to Greene County landowners who are struggling to pay property taxes.

Mr. Harris calculates that one acre of simulated wild ginseng could, after several years of growth, be worth up to $50,000 a year.

But for Mr. Beyfuss, the bigger challenge will be to sell the idea of wild ginseng to drugstores.

In Tibetan cuisine, Zhoixo is wild ginseng, made with yogurt.

But the rustle of the wild ginseng?