"Old-Time" Root Beer

"Old-time" by 1894 standards!

Ingredients:
One part black birch bark
One part wintergreen, leaves and stems
1/2 the quantity of spruce twigs
1/4 the quantity of Prince's pine
One small root fennel
Six gallons water


Directions:
Pour the cold water over the herbs and roots, bring to the boiling point, and boil till the strength is extracted. Strain, and if there is too strong a flavor, dilute with water. Add one-pound of sugar to every gallon of the mixture, and 1-cup of yeast, while lukewarm. It should stand 24 hours and be stirred frequently. At the end of this time, bottle or pour into a small keg. This makes a refreshing and wholesome summer drink.

Next recipe:   Old-Fashioned Root Beer