492 J ournal of Agriculture, Victoria. flO Attg., 1918. 



flowers. Distillation is conducted in a current of steam. The flowers 

 are placed loosely in a perforated cylinder of slightly smaller diameter 

 than the boiler of the still ; the cylinder is supported by three vertical 

 iron rods, rather shorter than the depth of the boiler; these rods con- 

 verge above, so that the whole (cylinder) may be lifted out of the boiler 

 by means of block and tackle after distillation is completed. A tripod 

 is placed in the boiler to support the perforated cylinder, the base of 

 which just touches the water. On boiling, the steam which is generated 

 passes through the flowers, carrying the oil with it. It then passes 

 trough a worm cooled with water, and, on condensation, is caught in a 

 separating receiver. The apparatus once under way, is operated day 

 and night. It is, of course, necessary to have a .sufficiently large staff, 

 so that fresh flowers may be supplied to the boiler as fast as the spent 

 flowers are removed. 



Complete figures are given in the original showing the costs of 

 establishment of a lavender plantation, manuring, distillation equip- 

 ment, &c. As Australian conditions differ so greatly from those in 

 France, these details of costs, &c., have not been reproduced. From the 

 detailed statement a few extracts will, no doubt, prove of interest. 



On a properly planted and manured lavender field the following 

 yields could be expected: — Second year, 1,800 lbs. of flower tops, 

 yielding 12 lbs. of oil; third year, 3,150 lbs. of flowers, 21 lbs. of 

 oil; fourth year, 4,500 lbs. of flowers, 3L5 lbs. of oil. In the 

 case of plants grown from seed the oil yield during the first few years is 

 less than that obtained from plants grown from slips, though by the 

 fifth year the yield is equal in each case. 



The profits from lavender growing could be increased by planting 

 evergreen oaks for truffle production in the waste land between lavender 

 plantations. Far from interfering with one another, these two cultures 

 would mutually benefit from the same cultivation and manures. It is 

 well known that cultivation, by aerating the soil, favours truffle produc- 

 tion, and this is increased in a marked manner by dressings with 

 artificial, and especially with nitrogenous manures, as our experiments 

 have already shown.* 



The lavender plant is not, however, free from liability to disease. 

 In many fields plants have been observed to die off, fonning centres of 

 infection. This is caused by a root fungus analogous to pourridie of 

 the vine.t The only remedy is the eradication of diseased plants, which 

 should be burnt. This disease has been more particularly noticed where 

 lavender grows wild. Artificial plantations are almost immune, but as 

 the fungus might be introduced with slips used for planting, it would 

 be more prudent to establish new fields by means of seedlings. If, how- 

 ever, planting by slips is followed, the slips should be disinfected by 

 dipping in a solution of sulpho-carbonate of potassium, strength 5 oz. to 

 10 gallons of water. Lavender is also liable to be attacked by dodder; 

 strong vigorous plants are most liable, and soon succumb. Spraying 

 with ] 5 per cent, sulphate of iron solution is the treatment recommended 

 for this parasite. 



Damage is also caused to the plants by cutting the flowering tops too 

 long, thus diminishing the vitality of the plant. This, however, is easily 



• Revue de Viticidlure, xxxiii, p. 350, and xxxv, p. 204. 



t Po<irricl6 or root rot of the vine is caused by several fungi, tlie most important bein;? DemrUophora 

 neccitrix and ArmUlaria mellea. 



