[Signed] Grushvitsky, I. V. Ginseng. Questions of Biology (Zhen'shen'. Voprosy biologii), 1961. In Russian.

[С автографом автора]
Грушвицкий, И. В.
Женьшень. Вопросы биологии.
Ответственный редактор: д-р биол. наук, проф. Ал. А. Федоров.
Ленинград: Академия Наук СССР, Сибирское отделение, Дальневосточный филиал им. В. Л. Комарова, 1961.
344 с.: ил.
Твердый переплет, энциклопедический формат.
Тираж: 3000 экз.
***
[With author's autograph]
Grushvitsky, I. V.
Ginseng. Questions of Biology (Zhen'shen'. Voprosy biologii).
Editor-in-chief: Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Al. A. Fedorov.
Leningrad: USSR Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, V.L. Komarov Far Eastern Branch, 1961.
344 p.: ill.
Hardcover, encyclopedia format.
Print run: 3,000 copies.

This monograph is a foundational scientific work by I. V. Grushvitsky, a leading researcher specializing in the botany and cultivation of medicinal plants in the Soviet Far East. Published in 1961 by the prestigious V.L. Komarov Far Eastern Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences, the book represents a comprehensive multi-year study aimed at the scientific domestication of ginseng—a plant shrouded in ancient legend and immense medicinal value. Grushvitsky's work systematically addresses the critical biological questions (seed germination, growth patterns, vegetative propagation) necessary for its successful introduction into agricultural practice, directly supporting the state's goal of securing a reliable raw material base for the pharmaceutical industry. A copy bearing the author's autograph significantly enhances the value of this already rare and important scientific publication, connecting it directly to the pioneer of Soviet ginseng research.

Ginseng is one of the most ancient medicinal plants. For many centuries in the countries of East Asia it enjoyed the fame of an all-healing remedy and was surrounded by a mysterious aura of countless superstitions and legends. Scientific verification of the pharmacological activity of this plant was carried out only in very recent times. The merit of establishing the real medical value of ginseng belongs to a group of Far Eastern doctors and pharmacologists. The development and deepening of pharmacological and clinical studies of ginseng confirmed the conclusion that ginseng is indeed an exceptionally valuable medicinal plant deserving special attention, and revealed wide possibilities for the use of preparations from its root in medical practice. With extremely insignificant reserves of wild ginseng in the forests of the Far East, the issue of providing the medical industry with a sufficient amount of high-grade raw materials is particularly acute. In this regard, it was decided to introduce ginseng into culture. For scientific substantiation of the rational agricultural technology of this new crop for science, it is necessary to know its biological characteristics. The primary issues to be resolved are: identifying the patterns of growth and development of ginseng; studying the nature of seed propagation to accelerate seed germination and increase their germination; clarifying the possibilities of vegetative propagation to develop appropriate techniques, etc. This work is the first attempt to provide the most complete possible characterization of the biological characteristics of ginseng, based on many years of research.