20 THE PRODUCTION OF VOLATILE OILS AND PERFUMERY PLANTS. 



ff-'^ 



trays, A^ B^ C^ Z>, and E, which also have brass or tinned-iron screens 

 of rather coarse mesh for bottoms. The sides, fronts, and backs of 

 trays may be of wood. The trays may readily be placed in or taken 

 out of the absorption box when refilling is necessary. Immediately 

 above the flower trays are located a series of glass plates so con- 

 structed that they may be readily taken from the box and replaced. 



The absorbing medium, lard or other solid 

 fat, is spread in a layer about one-half inch 

 in thickness upon each glass plate, which is 

 i:)laced in its proper position. The front 

 portion of the apparatus must be supplied 

 with a tight-fitting door (not shown in the 

 illustration) capable of being opened or re- 

 moved to admit of charging and discharging 

 the fat and flowers. When the flower trays 

 have been charged with the freshly picked 

 flowers and the door closed firml}^ a current 

 of air is made to pass upward through the 

 sponges and the flowers and the lard-laden 

 tray, a more efficient circulation being pro- 

 duced by the alternating arrangement of 

 glass plates. The odor-bearing air as it 

 passes over the lard readily surrenders its 

 perfume, which can be subsequently ex- 

 tracted from the lard. A small fan may be 

 placed at the top of the apparatus or a 

 blower at the bottom to produce the required 

 movement of the perfume-laden air. The 

 current should be regulated so that absorp- 

 tion is completely effected in its upward 

 journey. 



When retained in fresh condition, flowers 

 hold their aroma and even secrete perfume 

 for a longer period of time than if allowed 

 to wilt and dry ; hence the moistened sponges 

 in the bottom of the apparatus. Some flow- 

 ers are even known to continue to secrete 

 perfume if left in moistened air. The air 

 drawn through the apparatus is moisture 

 laden and therefore produces the best yield of perfume from the 

 flowers. 



The oi^eration of the above contrivance may be continued with 

 only such interruption as is required for recharging with fresh 

 flowers when practically^ all odor has been drawn off. After the 

 lard has been thoroughly charged, the perfume held in solution is 



195 



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Fig. 2. — Apparatus for treat- 

 ing flowers by the enfleur- 

 age process. A, B, C, D, E, 

 Flower trays ; F, exit ; G, 

 sponge tray; H (1-18), 

 glass plates. 



