Fellas I copied this from my post on the regular forum, but, I think it has some information that may be of concern to root diggers.
Getting roots ready for market is just as valuable to the digger as the root or herb itself. I have looked at and downgraded loads of poor handled roots and herbs in my buying years. I have had people bring Ginseng in that was put into a microwave oven and cooked, also put in conventional ovens and cooked. That completely ruins the roots when that is done to them. Also to much dirt left on roots, and in Ginsengs case, not enough dirt left on it or way to much. It must be handled in a certain way to make beautifull finished product.
All other roots and herbs must be very nice and clean without any kind of sticks, off roots, rocks etc. left in the finished product. They must be dried to a almost perfectly dry stage, with very little to no moisture left in the roots or herbs. Actually they need to be dried to the point that when broken, they break with a nice clean snap. Ginseng must also be dried to that moisture content, but, never snap or break a piece of Ginseng. If you do, you damage it. All other herbs and roots it won't bother a thing to bend the product and break it.
Once again Guys and Girls, you are getting into another wild crafting typ lifestyle and just like fur, it must be done in a particular manner to get top price for your product. If you don't want to handle the product in the correct manner, then leave it in the ground or on the bush it grows on.
I buy all manner of roots and herbs in the green state, just as many other root buyers do. You get a pretty good deduction on weight when selling your roots green. There is a ratio of green to dry, but it all depends on what kind of root you dig and what time of the year you dig it. That is the way I figure green prices. for example, goldenseal dug in late April to early June may take 5-7 lbs of it green to make a lb. dry. But Goldenseal dug in late October will only take 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 lb. of green root to make a lb. of dry. Weight also differs in the typ of soil you dig in. Real light weight loamy soil will give you lighter weight roots than roots that are dug in heavy clay soil.
...and this site!