12 



PEPPERMINT. 



of the vat in a pair of rings, are attached to it. After the charge 

 has been distilled it is drawn from the vats by means of this arrange- 

 ment. 



The plants are thrown into the vats and are closely packed by two 

 or three men tramping upon them, and as the vat becomes about 

 one-third full the packing is still further assisted by turning in a 

 small supply of steam, which softens the plants. When the vat is 

 filled the tight cover is replaced and a full head of steam turned on. 

 In the largest distilleries the vats have a capacity of from 2.000 to 

 3,000 pounds of dried plants each. 



Fio. 3. — reppermint still. (After Dewey, in Bailey's Cyclopedia of American 



Horticulture.) 



Aj boiler ; B, steam pipes leading to vats ; C, valves for shutting off steam ; 7), mint 

 packed in vat ready for distilling; E, mint being lowered into vat; F, tight-fitting cover 

 used alternately for both vats ; G, pipe from top of vat. joined at H so as to swing to 

 other vat ; J, perforated pipe, from which cold water drops over condensing tubes ; K, 

 supply pipe for cold water ; .1/. condensing pipes ; A", outlet for condensed oil and water ; 

 O and P, water and oil in separating can ; R, outlet for water ; »s', floor of distilling room. 



Large tanks are used for storing the oil, and cans holding 20 

 pounds each are employed for shipping, three of these cans being 

 placed in a wooden case. 



The pejjpermint hay which remains after distillation is used as a 

 fertilizer or is fed to stock. 



PEPPERMINT OIL AND MENTHOL. 



Peppermint leaves and flowering tops are official in the Eighth 

 Decennial Revision of the United States Pharmacopreia. as are like- 

 wise the following products and preparations derived from these 

 parts: Oil of peppermint, menthol, spirit of peppermint, and pepper- 

 mint water. 



