490 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Aug., 1918. 



It has been shown that by means of cultural operations conducted 

 at the proper moment, in these soils where pebbles predominate, the 

 growth and flowering of the plants can be increased. On this class of 

 country, where lavender grows wild occupying the whole surface, the 

 land has been worked during March with the araire^-' in such a manner 

 as to only leave narrow strips of lavender 3 feet apart. Thus treated 

 the plants situated on the strips grow strongly, and yield twice as much 

 as uncultivated land. Observation of the superior growth of plants 

 bordering roads, in fact, suggested cultivation on these lines. 



The araire has been replaced by the spring-tooth cultivator (houe 

 canadienne) which enables the land to be worked several times, before 

 winter and again in the month of March (September in Australia). 

 The last working should not be too late, so as to avoid damaging young 

 roots. 



Simultaneously with these workings, artificial manures have been 

 applied experimentally with most satisfactory results. Analyses showed 

 that the soil is relatively rich in nitrogen, but below the average in 

 potash and phosphoric acid. This relative abundance of nitrogen is 

 the result of the accumulation, during centuries, of organic matter 

 resulting from plant debris. 



The manure dressings were mixed in the following proportions : — 



Nitrate of soda, 20 parts. 

 Chloride of potassium, 20 parts. 

 Superphosphate (18-20 per cent.), 60 parts. 



Four hundred and fifty pounds per acre of this manure were broad- 

 casted between the rows before the March (September here) ploughing. 

 Striking differences were noted between the manured and the control 

 plots both as regards gi'owths and yield of flowers. 



The control under ordinary cultural conditions yielded an average 

 of over 2,000 kilos of lavender flowers per hectare (about 18 cwt. per 

 acre) ; the manured part reached a yield of 3,500 kilos per hectare 

 (about 31^ cwt. per acre). In other words, lan additional 13^ cwt. per 

 acre. 



Mr. Clement distilled the two lots of flowers separately, with the 

 following results: — 100 kilosf of control lavender gave an average yield 

 of 600 grammes of oil; 100 kilos of lavender flowers from the fertilized 

 plots yielded, on an average, 800 grammes of oil. The yields per hectare 

 (2|- acres) were as follows: — Unmanured lavender, 12, kilos of oil; 

 lavender with fertilizer, 28 kilos of oil. Prices averaged from 10 to 

 12 frs. per kilo of oil. But increasing demand having enhanced the 

 price, this hardened las follows: — In 1904, 20 frs.; in 1905, 32 frs.; 

 until it reached, in 1912, the remarkably high price of 40 frs. Since 

 then prices have been maintained at from 35 to 40 frs. per kilo of oil. 



Prior to 1904, the value of the crop was — per hectare, without 

 manure, 12 kilos of oil, at from 10 to 12 frs. per kilo, say, 120 to 144 frs. 

 In 1904, the value rose, as the result of enhanced prices, to 

 12 X 20 = 240 frs.; in 1905, 12 X 26 = 312 frs.; in 1906, 

 12 X 32 = 384 frs. ; and in 1912, 12 X 40 = 480 frs. Hence, the 

 gross return of lavender without fertilizer may Teach 480 frs. per 

 hectare, owing to increased commercial value of the oil. But far more 



* The araire is the old Roman wooden plough with a steel point and no mould-board, 

 t 1 kilogram = 2.2 lbs. avoirdupois ; 28-4 grammes =i 1 oz. 



