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Narrator: COMING UP ON "HILLBILLY BLOOD"...
IN APPALACHIA, A MAN AIN'T NOTHING WITHOUT A PICKUP TRUCK.
Narrator: WITH NO CASH FOR A DOWN PAYMENT,
EUGENE'S HOPES FOR A TRUCK OF HIS OWN ARE SHOT, UNLESS...
IF YOU GET ME ABOUT A HALF A POUND OF GINSENG
BEFORE THE FROST --
YEAH, I'LL TAKE THAT AS A DOWN PAYMENT.
GINSENG IS AS GOOD AS MONEY IN THESE PARTS,
BUT ONLY IF THE ROOTS ARE BONE DRY.
MAYBE YOUR BRAIN CAN COME UP WITH SOMETHING WITH THAT.
CAN THE BOYS PUT TOGETHER
A BACKWOODS GINSENG DRYER OUT OF JUNK?
YEAH [BLEEP]
LET'S GO GET US SOME SENG, MAN.
THE RACE IS ON --
FIND ENOUGH GINSENG ROOT AND GET IT DRIED
BEFORE THAT TRUCK GETS SOLD.
BUT THEIR PLANS COULD BE FOR NOTHING
IF A POACHER'S FOUND ALL OF SPENCER'S SECRET STASH.
OH, YOU GOT TO BE FREAKING KIDDING ME.
[ DOGS BARKING ]
GET ON BACK DOWN HERE.
THE PRESSURE'S REALLY ON.
Narrator: HERE IN COLD MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA,
THE LIVING IS TOUGH.
FOLKS LIVE OFF THE LAND JUST LIKE THEIR PARENTS,
GRANDPARENTS, AND GREAT-GRANDPARENTS BEFORE THEM,
GETTING BY WITH LITTLE AND MAKING DO WITH LESS.
THERE'S NOBODY BETTER THAN EUGENE RUNKIS,
WHO'S GOT HILLBILLY INVENTION RUNNING THROUGH HIS VEINS,
AND HIS MOUNTAIN BROTHER, SPENCER "TWO DOGS" BOLEJACK,
WHO'S UNLOCKED THE SECRETS AT THE HEART OF THESE WOODS.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
WINTER ON COLD MOUNTAIN MAKES A MONSTER PICKUP TRUCK
THE MUST-HAVE VEHICLE,
WHETHER IT BE FOR POWERING THROUGH SNOWY ROADS
OR HAULING PILES OF FIREWOOD.
IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE EUGENE'S BEEN BEHIND THE WHEEL.
I'M ALWAYS HAULING SCRAP METAL
AND GETTING RIVER LOGS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
IT IS A REAL PAIN IN THE *** TO TRY AND DO THAT
WITHOUT A PICKUP TRUCK.
Narrator: OUTSIDE THE BETHEL GROCERY STORE
SITS A NICE-LOOKING TRUCK, AND IT'S GOT A "FOR SALE" SIGN.
IT LOOKS LIKE A GOOD TRUCK
Runkis: MARVIN'S HAD THIS TRUCK OUT IN FRONT OF THIS STORE
FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS.
WELL, IT LOOKS PRETTY CLEAN INSIDE.
WHEEL WELLS ARE SOLID.
CHECK OUT THIS TOOL BOX --
YEAH, THAT'S NICE.
...ALL THE WAY AROUND THE EDGE.
Runkis: THAT TRUCK OF MARVIN'S IS A REALLY GOOD TRUCK.
I THINK I WANT IT.
GO AHEAD.
HEY.
I WAS JUST LOOKING AT THAT TRUCK YOU GOT OUT THERE.
I WAS WONDERING WHAT YOU WANTED FOR IT.
BE GLAD TO WORK SOMETHING OUT WITH YOUSE.
SO, I'LL FINANCE IT FOR YOU?
ACTUALLY, I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY ON ME RIGHT NOW.
I WAS HOPING WE COULD WORK SOMETHING OUT ON THE DOWN PAYMENT.
WELL...IF YOU GET ME
ABOUT A HALF A POUND OF GINSENG BEFORE IT FROSTS.
Narrator: APPALACHIAN GINSENG'S EARNED THE NICKNAME "GREEN GOLD."
IT'S PRIZED THE WORLD OVER
FOR PREVENTING INFECTION AND INCREASING STAMINA.
IF EUGENE CAN BRING ME BACK ABOUT A HALF A POUND OF GINSENG,
THAT'D BE ABOUT $500 -- THAT'D BE A GOOD DOWN PAYMENT.
Narrator: THIS TYPE OF BARTER IS AS MUCH A PART OF APPALACHIAN LIFE
AS IS MOONSHINE.
I BET YOU WANT THAT GINSENG DRIED, HUH?
YES, I WANT IT DRIED.
IF GINSENG AIN'T TOTALLY DRIED WHEN A DEALER BUYS IT,
IT WILL DECREASE IN WEIGHT AS THE DRYING PROCESS CONTINUES.
AND THEY SURE DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR THE EXTRA WATER WEIGHT.
DRYING WILL REMOVE
ALMOST 90% OF THE ROOT'S MOISTURE.
IF YOU CAN'T GET IT IN A WEEK,
I'D HAVE TO GET YOU TO BRING THE TRUCK BACK,
'CAUSE I'VE GOT OTHER PEOPLE THAT'S INTERESTED IN IT.
TAKE IT DOWN THE ROAD AND SEE HOW YOU LIKE IT.
ALL RIGHT.
Runkis: ME COMING UP WITH A HALF-POUND OF GINSENG
THIS TIME OF YEAR IS GONNA BE A REAL TASK.
I THINK I MIGHT'VE BIT OFF MORE THAN I CAN CHEW.
Narrator: THE BOYS HAVE QUITE THE CHALLENGE AHEAD.
THEY HAVE TWO DAYS TO FIND A HALF POUND OF GINSENG.
THEN, THEY HAVE TO DELIVER IT DRY,
WHICH CAN TAKE UPWARDS OF A WEEK.
THEY'VE GOT TO GET THIS ALL DONE AS QUICKLY AS THEY CAN
IF EUGENE'S GONNA GET THAT TRUCK.
MAN, IT'S GONNA BE HARD TO COME UP WITH
A HALF OF POUND OF DRIED GINSENG TO PAY FOR THIS THING.
MARVIN SET SOME HIGH STAKES, BROTHER -- HE SURE DID.
MARVIN MADE A POINT TO REALLY EMPHASIZE THE DRY PART.
FOLKS BEEN HARVESTING GINSENG HERE FOR CENTURIES.
THEY'D COLLECT ROOTS
AND STORE THEM IN WARM ATTICS TO DRY,
GIVING THE ROOTS A RICH, BROWN COLOR.
THE WAY I FEEL ABOUT IT --
I DON'T EVEN WANT TO START DIGGING THIS GINSENG UP
UNTIL WE KNOW WE'VE GOT A WAY TO DRY IT,
AND DRY IT IN TIME FOR MARVIN FOR YOU TO KEEP THIS TRUCK.
WELL, WE'RE GONNA GO FIGURE SOMETHING OUT.
NOW, I AIN'T GIVING UP THIS TRUCK, MAN.
I NEED IT.
I GOT TO HAVE IT.
YOU KNOW, GINSENG IS THE ORIGINAL HILLBILLY ***.
EH, I DON'T NEED IT.
I BET YOU DO NEED IT.
NO, I DON'T NEED IT. YOU NEED IT.
I DON'T NEED IT.
MAYBE THAT'S WHY MARVIN WANTS IT.
[ LAUGHS ]
GINSENG GROWS IN SHADY WOODLANDS WITH RICH SOILS,
WHICH MAKES APPALACHIAN TERRITORY
THE BEST PLACE TO FIND SENG IN AMERICA.
Bolejack: I'VE GOT A LITTLE BIT ON MY PROPERTY.
I'VE BEEN WATCHING IT ALL YEAR.
I DON'T MIND EUGENE HARVESTING
$500 WORTH OF GINSENG OFF MY PROPERTY.
HE'S DONE A LOT FOR ME.
TRUTH IS, THAT'S THE LEAST I COULD DO FOR HIM.
Bolejack: THE HARDEST THING IS GETTING THE GINSENG DRY IN TIME.
I DON'T WANT TO PULL UP ON MY LAND
UNTIL WE GOT A PLAN TO DRY IT.
WE'LL JUST HAVE TO FORCE AIR ACROSS IT, THAT'S ALL.
Narrator: THE BOYS CAN'T USE A MICROWAVE OR OVEN TO DRY THE SENG,
'CAUSE THAT WOULD DRY OUT THE ROOTS TOO FAST
AND DISCOLOR THEM.
DEALERS WON'T BUY THAT.
I'VE GOT THIS OLD FAN BACK HERE.
I DON'T KNOW.
I DON'T HAVE ANY MOTORS AROUND THAT WE COULD USE,
BUT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE YOUR BRAIN
COULD COME UP WITH SOMETHING WITH THAT.
I SAW A FAN WAS RUNNING ON A PENDULUM ONE TIME.
IN THEORY, A PENDULUM'S KINETIC ENERGY
COULD CREATE PERPETUAL MOTION.
WHAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT DOING IS BUILDING A PENDULUM
TO POWER THE FAN WITH,
AND THEY CAN WORK PRETTY GOOD
IF YOU GET ALL YOUR WEIGHTS AND BALANCES JUST RIGHT.
Narrator: EUGENE'S PLAN IS TO BUILD A PENDULUM
OUT OF OLD LUMBER.
THEY'LL CONNECT IT TO A FAN SET INTO AN OLD FILE CABINET.
THE PENDULUM WILL SWING BACK AND FORTH,
CREATING ENERGY TO SPIN THE FAN.
THE SPINNING FAN THEN SENDS COOL AIR
TO GENTLY DRY THE GINSENG.
YEAH.
FIRST STEP, MAKE A HOLE IN THE CABINET FOR THE FAN.
NEXT, THE BOYS ATTACH THE FAN.
THE BOYS BUILD THE PENDULUM BASE
AND ATTACH ARMS THAT ATTACH TO THE FAN.
THAT'S JUST ABOUT RIGHT, RIGHT THERE.
WELL, IT'S THE MOMENT OF TRUTH.
SEE IF YOU CAN MAKE THAT INITIAL PULL A LITTLE FASTER.
IT'S NOT ENGAGING THE RATCHET.
THE PENDULUM'S NOT MOVING ON ITS OWN,
AND WITHOUT THIS MOTION,
ALL THE BOYS HAVE IS A PIECE OF HILLBILLY KINETIC ART.
OH, YEAH.
SEE HOW IT PULLS IT UP TOO -- LIKE THAT.
WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS DROP THIS DOWN TO, LIKE, RIGHT HERE,
TO MAKE IT MORE LEVEL ACROSS.
NO.
YEAH [BLEEP]
[ SIGHS ] I DON'T KNOW, EUGENE.
I MEAN, SOMETIMES YOU GOT TO KNOW WHEN TO CUT YOUR LOSSES,
AND WE'RE GETTING TO THAT POINT HERE.
IT DOESN'T LOOK REAL PROMISING.
AND SURE ENOUGH, IT'S GONNA BE A LOT OF WORK,
AND STUFF'S JUST NOT FITTING QUITE RIGHT.
SOMETIMES YOU WIN, SOMETIMES YOU DON'T.
SO, I THINK WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO CHANGE THE GAME PLAN.
I DON'T WANT TO SIT OUT HERE ALL AFTERNOON
KICKING THE PENDULUM.
[ SIGHS ]
WHAT WOULD BE NICE WOULD BE IF WE COULD FIND
SOME SORT OF ENERGY TO DRIVE THIS
THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO STAY THERE FOR ALL DAY.
WE GOT THAT CREEK. MAYBE WE CAN USE THAT CREEK SOMEHOW.
Narrator: THROWING IN THE TOWEL JUST AIN'T THE MOUNTAIN WAY.
THE BOYS WILL JUST HAVE TO DIG A LITTLE DEEPER
TO COME UP WITH ANOTHER PLAN.
YEAH, YOU KNOW, I BET WE COULD MAKE A WATERWHEEL
DOWN ALONG THE BACK SIDE OF IT.
WE'VE ALREADY GOT THIS THING FINISHED.
IT WOULDN'T TAKE THAT MUCH WORK.
JUST PUT A WATERWHEEL ON THE BACK
AND DRIVE THIS FAN.
WATER MILLS WERE A SOURCE OF POWER
OVER 125 YEARS AGO.
THERE'S STILL SOME OLD RELICS THROUGHOUT APPALACHIA TODAY.
I GOT A PRETTY GOOD IDEA OF HOW I CAN MAKE A WATERWHEEL
TO POWER A FAN TO DRY IT OUT WITH,
BUT I'M GONNA HAVE TO GO DOWN BY THE CREEK TO TRY IT OUT.
Narrator: EUGENE'S GOT A PLAN FOR A WATER-POWERED DEHYDRATOR
THAT WILL FORCE AIR OVER THE ROOTS TO DRY THEM.
THEY'LL USE THE FAN ATTACHED TO THE FILE CABINET
THEY ALREADY MADE.
THEY'LL ATTACH TWO METAL DRUM LIDS AND SOUP CANS
TO MAKE UP THE WATER WHEEL.
POWERED BY RUNNING WATER,
IT WILL TURN THE FAN TO PRODUCE A STEADY STREAM OF AIR.
IF EUGENE HAS ANY CHANCE OF GETTING THAT TRUCK,
HE AND SPENCER HAVE TO GET ON
TO BUILDING THIS WATERWHEEL QUICK.
Bolejack: YEAH. THAT LOOKS GOOD.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S DO THIS, MAN.
THIS BANK CAN BE SLICKER -- SLICKER THAN SNAIL SNOT.
Runkis: IF YOU CAN GET THAT FAN PUT ON THERE,
I'LL MOUNT THE WHEEL.
I THINK WE'RE REAL CLOSE TO GETTING IT DONE.
EUGENE TAKES THE HOSE UPSTREAM,
ALLOWING GRAVITY TO SEND DOWN A FLOW OF WATER
TO POWER THE WATERWHEEL AND MAKE IT SPIN.
HEY, SPENCER, YOU GOT ANY WATER COMING OUT YET?
NO, THERE'S NO WATER.
IF WE CAN'T MANAGE TO GET WATER
TO COME OUT OF THIS WATER HOSE TO POWER THAT WHEEL,
I MIGHT AS WELL SAY GOOD-BYE TO THAT TRUCK RIGHT NOW.
Narrator: COMING UP...
A SIMPLE PROBLEM COULD WRECK THE BOYS' PLANS.
Runkis: APPLY SOME SUCTION SO WE CAN GET SOME WATER DOWN THAT HOSE.
Narrator: AND LATER, A POACHER COMES BETWEEN EUGENE
AND HIS TRUCK DOWN PAYMENT.
HEY! NO!
Narrator: THE BOYS MUST MAKE A GINSENG ROOT DRYER
IF THERE'S ANY HOPE FOR EUGENE
TO TRADE THIS GREEN GOLD FOR A TRUCK.
HEY, SPENCER, YOU GOT ANY WATER COMING OUT YET?
NO, THERE'S NO WATER.
Narrator: BUT WITHOUT WATER TO TURN THE WHEEL,
THIS MACHINE IS A DUD.
IF WE CAN'T MANAGE TO GET WATER
TO COME OUT OF THIS WATER HOSE TO POWER THAT WHEEL,
I MIGHT AS WELL SAY GOOD-BYE TO THAT TRUCK RIGHT NOW.
APPLY SOME SUCTION SO WE CAN GET SOME WATER DOWN THAT HOSE.
YEAH, WE GOT IT. THERE IT IS.
IT'S COMING OUT GOOD.
START RIGHT HERE.
YEAH, BUDDY. LOOK AT THAT.
IT'S GONNA WORK GOOD.
Narrator: THEY ATTACH THE HOSE TO THE CABINET
WITH ROPE AND A BRANCH.
PULLING THAT OUT JUST A LITTLE BIT --
YEAH, LOOK AT THAT.
LOOK AT THAT FAN TURNING.
OOH!
AT FIRST I WAS GONNA SAY WE OUGHT TO PUT
SOME HOT ROCKS IN THE BOTTOM, BUT I DON'T WANT TO MESS --
WE WANT TO GET EVERY DOLLAR WE CAN OUT OF THAT GINSENG,
AND THAT HEAT'LL SHRIVEL THEM UP.
IT WILL. IT WILL.
A POUND OF FRESH ROOT IS ALMOST THREE-QUARTERS WATER.
DRYING THE ROOT GETS THE WATER CONTENT DOWN
TO ABOUT 12 PERCENT.
NOW THAT WE'VE GOT THAT DEHYDRATOR BUILT,
IT'S GAME ON -- IT'S TIME FOR US TO GET OUT THERE
AND HUNT FOR THAT GINSENG.
LET'S GO GET US SOME SENG, MAN.
IT'S SOMEWHERE RIGHT ALONG IN HERE.
OH, LOOK AT THAT.
Narrator: GINSENG-POACHING ARRESTS HAVE TRIPLED
IN SOME STATES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.
SOARING PRICES MAKE MORE FOLKS TAKE TO THE BACKWOODS
IN SEARCH OF GREEN GOLD.
Runkis: SPENCER HAD A STASH OF GINSENG ON HIS PROPERTY.
THAT'S JUST LIKE A HILLBILLY BANK ACCOUNT.
AT HARVEST TIME, ALL HE HAD TO DO
IS BRING IN THE ROOTS AND GET THE CASH.
IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S BEEN ROBBED.
WHEN YOU GET A PILE OF THAT, SOME PEOPLE GET THEIR GUNS OUT.
Narrator: NOT ONLY DO POACHERS RISK JAIL TIME AND STEEP FINES,
SOME HAVE BEEN KILLED TRESPASSING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.
WE'VE GOT A POACHER ON OUR HANDS, BROTHER.
THE QUESTION IS, HOW MANY PEOPLE,
AND IF THEY'RE IN THE SAME GROUP?
LOOK, HERE'S --
THESE GUYS DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO STEP.
THEY'RE IN SUCH A HURRY, THEY'RE MASHING UP THE PLACE.
Runkis: YEAH, THEY SCRUBBED THE MOSS RIGHT OFF THE ROCK.
WHAT KIND OF IDIOT WOULD PUT THEIR FOOT
ON THE SIDE OF A MOSSY ROCK LIKE THAT?
IF HE'S TRYING TO STAY HIDDEN, HE'S DOING AN AWFUL JOB.
AMATEURS.
Bolejack: PEOPLE THINK THAT TRACKING IS LIKE LEAVING A FOOTPRINT.
YOU KNOW, WHAT SOMEBODY STEPS ON
TELLS YOU ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE LEVEL.
HOW THEY MOVE THEIR FOOT
TELLS YOU WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT.
I KNOW YOU WANT A TRUCK, BUT DADGUM.
RIGHT NOW, WE GOT TO FIGURE OUT
WHO'S POACHING GINSENG ON MY LAND.
I MEAN, IT'S LIKE A DADGUM INVASION.
OH, YOU GOT TO BE FREAKING KIDDING ME.
WE HAVEN'T EVEN FOUND A PLANT, MAN.
HOW IN THE WORLD IS HE FINDING IT ALL?
Narrator: EXPERTS ESTIMATE THAT 90% OF ALL GINSENG
EXPORTED OUT OF THE COUNTRY IS POACHED.
SOMEBODY'S PULLED EVERY BIT OF IT UP.
CUT HALF THE ROOT OFF.
YOU MEAN HE CUT THE GINSENG ROOT OFF IT?
IF THE ROOT ISN'T INTACT, IT'S COMPLETELY WORTHLESS.
AND THESE ARE REAL FRESH HOLES.
HE'S PROBABLY STILL DIGGING MORE.
WE OUGHT TO HURRY.
I'M INCLINED TO TAKE WHATEVER HE'S GOT
RIGHT OFF HIS BODY.
Narrator: THE HUNT FOR GINSENG
HAS TURNED INTO A HUNT FOR A POACHER.
LOOKS ALMOST LIKE A DOG TRACK.
Runkis: THAT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE THAT.
HMM.
[ SIGHS ]
I GOT TO TAKE A FEW DEEP BREATHS AND JUST CALM DOWN
SO I DON'T RIP THIS GUY'S HEAD OFF WHEN I FIND HIM.
Runkis: HIM POACHING THAT GINSENG
IS JUST LIKE HIM STEALING MY TRUCK
RIGHT OUT FROM UNDER ME.
HE'S BEEN RIGHT THROUGH HERE.
YOU CAN SEE WHAT DIRECTION HE WENT IN.
HIS FOOT SLIPPED RIGHT THERE.
[ DOG BARKS ]
[ DOG BARKS ]
Narrator: COMING UP...
CAN THEY CATCH UP WITH THE GINSENG THIEF
BEFORE HE TAKES IT ALL?
HEY! NO!
Narrator: SPENCER IS ON A MISSION TO HELP HIS FRIEND EUGENE
HARVEST ENOUGH VALUABLE GINSENG TO TRADE FOR A TRUCK.
Bolejack: IT'S GONNA WORK GOOD.
THEY'VE MADE A WORKING GINSENG DRYER,
BUT IT WILL BE FOR NOTHING
IF A POACHER HAS STOLEN ALL THE ROOTS OFF SPENCER'S LAND.
[ DOG BARKING ]
HEY! NO!
GET BACK HERE, BOY.
COME ON, MAN.
COME ON BACK DOWN HERE IN THE CREEK WITH US, BOY.
COME ON.
Runkis: BUDDY, YOU'RE THIS CLOSE
TO GOING TO JAIL FOR TRESPASSING.
YOU KNOW YOU'RE ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, RIGHT?
I DIDN'T SEE ANY SIGNS. WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
SO, YOU DIDN'T SEE THE HOUSE AND THE DRIVEWAY
AND THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY AND ALL THOSE GINSENG PLANTS
YOU PULLED UP ON THE RIDGE GETTING ALL THE WAY UP TO HERE?
YOU KNOW WHAT THAT GINSENG IS? IT'S LIKE MONEY IN THE BANK.
YOU KNOW WHOSE BANK IT IS?
IT'S MY BANK. IT'S MY BANK.
LET ME SEE THAT GINSENG.
HOW LONG YOU BEEN DIGGING SENG?
Ben: NOT VERY LONG.
WELL, I CAN TELL THAT.
THIS ROOT ISN'T EVEN THREE YEARS OLD. LOOK.
I DIDN'T REALLY REALIZE I WAS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY,
AND DEFINITELY DIDN'T REALIZE
I COULD GO TO JAIL FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND,
FOR SOMEBODY THAT DOESN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT GINSENG,
IS HOW YOU MANAGED TO PULL OUT EVERY PLANT
COMING UP THIS WHOLE RIDGE.
IT'S MY DOG.
I'VE TRAINED IT SINCE HE WAS A PUP.
HE CAN HUNT GINSENG PRETTY GOOD.
SURE DO.
NOW, IF YOU GOT A GINSENG-HUNTING DOG,
WE MIGHT COULD TALK SOME SORT OF BUSINESS.
WHAT'D YOU SAY YOUR NAME WAS AGAIN?
IT'S BEN.
I TELL YOU, I WAS JUST ABOUT READY TO CUT THAT BOY.
BUT I MIGHT BE ABLE TO TOLERATE HIM A LITTLE BIT
IF THAT DOG'LL FIND GINSENG.
THAT'S LIKE A GOLD-HUNTING DOG RIGHT THERE.
Narrator: OFTEN CALLED A NOSE WITH A DOG ATTACHED,
THE BLOODHOUND IS SO GOOD AT SCENT TRACKING,
WHAT IT FINDS IS ADMISSIBLE IN A COURT OF LAW.
ONTO SOME SENG.
A BLOODHOUND QUIETLY HUNTS DOWN HIS TARGET,
AND WHEN IT FINDS IT, IT STOPS DEAD IN ITS TRACKS.
RIGHT HERE, HE'S GOT SOMETHING.
COME HERE, JACK. HERE, JACK.
GOOD BOY.
Runkis: SURE ENOUGH.
Bolejack: WELL, I'LL BE DARNED.
GOOD DOG.
THIS IS A GOOD, MATURE PLANT.
IT'S GONNA BE BIG ENOUGH.
Narrator: SPENCER MUST CAREFULLY DIG AROUND THE ROOT
SO AS NOT TO DAMAGE IT.
THIS ALSO ALLOWS THE BOYS TO GAUGE THE AGE OF THE ROOT.
MATURE ONES ARE THE MOST VALUABLE.
Bolejack: WHEN I WORK, I START PRETTY WIDE,
AND I JUST KIND OF START PRYING THAT SOIL AROUND THE ROOT.
WHOO!
LET'S KEEP THIS UP, BUDDY.
COME ON, JACK. LET'S GET SOME SENG.
LET'S GO.
Narrator: WHEN IT COMES TO SENG, SIZE MATTERS.
FULLY-DEVELOPED PLANTS CAN STAND ALMOST TWO FEET.
THAT'S A GOOD INDICATOR THAT A BIG ROOT IS IN THE GROUND.
RIGHT HERE -- HE'S FOUND ANOTHER ONE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW HE DOES IT.
WHOO -- MAN, THAT DOG DOES DO
A GOOD JOB OF FINDING GINSENG.
WHAT'D I TELL YOU?
I WAS STILL KIND OF WANTING TO BE AGGRAVATED AT THIS KID,
AND THEN, DADGUM, WE FIND THREE, FOUR, FIVE PLANTS.
THAT DOG PICKED OUT EVERY GINSENG PLANT
COMING BACK DOWN THE VALLEY.
IT FEELS LIKE IT COULD BE A MONSTER, THOUGH.
YEAH.
JUST GOT TO BE REAL CAREFUL, BREAK THE SOIL UP.
SO, I'M PULLING THIS BIG PILE OF DIRT UP OUT OF THE GROUND,
AND IT'S ALL BOUND UP TOGETHER LIKE A BIG CHUNK OF CLAY.
BUT, MY HEART'S RACING, 'CAUSE THAT COULD BE ONE ROOT
THAT'S WORTH THE WHOLE REST OF ALL OF THEM.
Narrator: THE HOLY GRAIL OF GINSENG ROOTS
IS THE MAN ROOT.
RESEMBLING THE SHAPE OF A MAN,
IT'S THE MOST MATURE AND POTENT,
AND CAN FETCH SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS.
YEAH, DON'T BREAK MY MAN ROOT.
Bolejack: WOW.
WELL, ALL RIGHT.
THERE'S A BUNCH OF THEM ALL CLUSTERED IN HERE TOGETHER.
SO IT'S NOT LIKE ONE BIG ONE, BUT IT'S A BUNCH OF PIECES.
YEAH, I SEE THAT.
WELL, IT MAY NOT LOOK LIKE A MAN, THIS ONE,
BUT IT'S STARTING TO LOOK A LITTLE BIT LIKE A TRUCK.
YEAH, IT IS.
THAT GINSENG'S LOOKING GOOD, MAN.
LET'S GET IT IN THE DRYER.
THIS STUFF IS THE ONLY HOPE I HAVE
OF HAVING SOMETHING OF VALUE
TO USE AS A DOWN PAYMENT FOR THAT TRUCK.
WE CAN PUT THE GINSENG IN THERE AND IT'LL DRY OVERNIGHT.
WE CAN TAKE IT DOWN THERE TOMORROW.
Narrator: THE BOYS FINALLY START DRYING THAT GINSENG.
[ SNIFFS ] WHOO!
MAN, THAT STUFF SMELLS GOOD.
Runkis: MY PICKUP TRUCK'S RIDING ON
THERE BEING HALF A POUND HERE, MAN.
I HOPE WE DIDN'T GIVE UP TOO SOON.
YOU KNOW WHAT'S REALLY SPECIAL ABOUT THIS
IS IT'S GONNA BE A REAL SLOW CURE.
MOUNTAIN GROWN, MOUNTAIN DRIED --
NOPE.
IT'S GONNA BE AWFUL CLOSE.
THERE'S ONE MORE LESSON I'D LIKE TO TEACH THAT KID BEN.
I'M NOT GONNA LET HIM OFF FOR TRESPASSING
AND STEALING MY GINSENG QUITE SO EASY.
IT'S GONNA BE A LONG NIGHT
WONDERING IF I GOT A HALF A POUND IN THERE.
YOU BET, BUDDY.
COMING UP, EUGENE COULD BE ONE ROOT AWAY FROM FAILURE.
NOW, I'M PRAYING I CAN TIP THE SCALES
AT JUST OVER HALF A POUND SO I CAN GET THAT TRUCK.
Narrator: SPENCER AND EUGENE HAVE BEEN TEACHING
A GINSENG POACHER TURNED HELPER
EVERYTHING THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS VALUABLE ROOT.
BUT THERE'S ONE MORE LESSON BEN HAS TO LEARN.
YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS?
NO, I DON'T.
IT'S A JAR FULL OF LIME.
YOU KNOW WHAT YOU USE LIME FOR?
SOME PEOPLE PUT IT IN THEIR GARDEN,
BUT YOU CAN ALSO USE IT TO GET RID OF SOME BODIES.
BODIES?
I'M NOT GETTING RID OF ANY BODIES FOR YOU.
WELL, YOU CAN ALSO USE IT FOR MAKING PAINT.
I GOT SOME MILK, I'VE GOT SOME LIME,
AND I'VE GOT SOME BERRIES.
BUT, IN THIS STATE, IN THIS AREA,
WHEN YOU PAINT PURPLE LINES ON A TREE
IT MEANS "NO TRESPASSING."
IT'S JUST AS GOOD AS LAW.
SO, SPENCER AND I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WOULD HELP YOU
FIND HIS PROPERTY LINES IF YOU'D PAINT A PURPLE STRIPE
ON EVERY TREE AROUND HIS PROPERTY LINE.
OKAY.
Narrator: MILK PAINT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.
THE MILK ACTS AS A BASE.
LIME ACTS AS A THICKENER.
BERRIES ADD COLOR.
I CAN DEFINITELY LEARN A LOT FROM THESE GUYS.
THEY SEEM TO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT.
YOU REMEMBER WHERE WE MET YOU, DON'T YOU?
YEAH, I DO.
HIT A TREE ABOUT EVERY 50 FEET.
ALL RIGHT.
Narrator: SEVERAL STATES HAVE ENACTED THE PURPLE PAINT LAW,
WHICH ALLOWS PROPERTY OWNERS TO MARK PROPERTY BOUNDARIES.
WELL, IT'S A JOB THAT HAD TO BE DONE.
HE MIGHT AS WELL DO IT.
AND THAT'S A GOOD WAY TO EARN A FRIENDSHIP FROM ME.
Narrator: THE GINSENG IS DRY AND READY TO GO.
YEAH! MAN, THAT WORKED PERFECT.
LET'S GET ON DOWN THERE AND SHOW MARVIN WHAT WE'VE GOT.
Runkis: I FEEL LIKE I'VE GIVEN UP SOME OF MY INDEPENDENCE,
HAVING TO ASK SPENCER TO GIVE ME A RIDE EVERYWHERES.
I'M PRAYING I CAN TIP THE SCALES AT JUST OVER HALF A POUND
SO I CAN GET THAT TRUCK.
I'M REALLY NERVOUS.
Narrator: IT'S THE MOMENT OF TRUTH.
HEY, SPENCER. EUGENE.
LET'S SEE WHAT YOU GOT THERE.
Runkis: WE DIDN'T FIND NO MAN ROOTS,
BUT THERE WAS SOME PRETTY GOOD ONES IN THERE.
Narrator: WHEN THE BOYS HARVESTED THOSE ROOTS,
THEY WERE ALMOST THREE-QUARTERS WATER.
THEIR HOMEMADE DEHYDRATOR GOT THE WATER CONTENT
DOWN TO ABOUT 12 PERCENT.
AND WHEN MARVIN'S PUTTING THE GINSENG ON THAT SCALE,
I CAN'T EVEN BEAR TO LOOK AT IT.
THIS IS KILLING ME.
Narrator: THE BAG AND ITS CONTENTS
TIP THE SCALES AT ALMOST SEVEN-TENTHS OF A POUND,
AND THE BAG WEIGHS NEXT TO NOTHING.
YEAH, YOU GOT ENOUGH
FOR A DOWN PAYMENT HERE ON THAT TRUCK.
YEAH! WHOO-HOO!
YOU CAN COME BACK IN A COUPLE DAYS,
AND WE'LL WORK OUT THE REST OF THE PAYMENT.
YOU'RE ON THE ROAD, SON.
OH, IT SOUNDS GOOD.
YEAH.
WHEN I SEE THAT SCALE TIP UP OVER HALF A POUND
AND MARVIN'S EYES LIGHT UP,
I KNOW THAT I'VE GOT ONE MORE THING,
AND THAT'S A LOT MORE TIME IN MY LIFE,
'CAUSE I'M NOT GONNA HAVE TO BE HAULING EUGENE AROUND.
NOW THAT I GOT THIS TRUCK,
YOU'RE PROBABLY RIDING WITH ME EVERYWHERE.
YEAH, I'LL LET YOU DRIVE THROUGH THE RIVERS
AND UP THROUGH THE GRAVEL BEDS AND PULLING TREES.
THIS THING'S A BEAST.
Narrator: THE BOYS TAUGHT YOUNG BEN A THING OR TWO,
AND GOT EUGENE A NICE PICKUP AT THE SAME TIME.
JUST ANOTHER ADVENTURE UP ON COLD MOUNTAIN.
WANT MORE IDEAS ON HOW TO LIVE THE HILLBILLY LIFE?
GO TO destinationamerica.com.