320 Journal of Agficulfurc, Victoria. [lo May, 19 12. 



After Treatment of Plant. 

 The annual cutting back of this low, bushy plant forces out a super- 

 abundance of branches, and the plant becomes so close and dense that it 

 is readily attacked by fungoid and other diseases ; and, in order to avoid 

 this, the plant should be thinned out during the dormant season, and the 

 air let in. This will considerably improve its vigor and increase the yield 

 of blooms, which is the object aimed at. The pruning should be done as 

 low down as possible so as to avoid the production of superfluous buds, and 

 much may be done by robbing the.se when going through the plants. 

 Lavender, like most other plant-life, when employed for man's use. will 

 repay for a little attention. 



Yield. 

 It is somewhat ditificult to give actual yields, as much depends on the 

 varying conditions under which they are produced. For instance, the 

 Governor of Pentridge, Mr. Cody, planted out a small area, about half- 

 an-acre or so, and the returns given from this were highly satisfactory, 

 but, as portions were taken from one, two, and three year old plantings, 

 the actual returns would be of little service. Suffice it to sav that, on his 

 retirement from the Government .service, he is entering into la\'ender cul- 

 tivation on a much larger scale. The yield of flowers per acre varies, but 

 may be put down to about 3 to 4 tons. The price at present is 3d. per 

 lb., and gives over ^^50 per acre. 



Mr. J. Blogg, of Messrs. Blogg Brothers, Melbourne, the well-known 

 perfumers, estimates the yield of oil at 40 lbs. per acre. The late Mr. 

 Slater, who was well up in this business, gave the vield at 56 lbs., but 

 when we come to the price of this we are lost. Some time back I had a 

 parcel of a few lbs. to dispose of on behalf of the Department, and I 

 invited quotations from three or four firms. One offer was made to me 

 at 7s. per lb., and another at 14s. per lb. The third said he would give 

 me the market value, but could not say what that was until testing it, so, 

 on the second offerer rising to 15s. per lb., his offer was accepted. The 

 third man then complained, and said he was prepared to go to 20s., or 

 2 IS., had I given him a chance. Herein lies the difficulty in dealing with 

 all such special products, viz., the want of an established market value 

 to regulate the price j but this will remed^ itself when the trade becomes 

 more established. 



Distilling. 



Where it is intended to extract the oil a still may be secured for about 

 ^20 — sufficient for 4 or 5 acres. There is no licence or fee to be paid, 

 but a permit mu.st be obtained from the Customs Department, and a 

 guarantee furnished to the extent of ^100, that the Exci.se laws will not 

 be violated. The skill necessary for this indu.stry is not beyond ordinary 

 capacity, and instructions can be obtained by calling at my office, 581 

 Flinders -street, Melbourne. 



The following information is supplied by the Customs Department to 

 those desiring to obtain a permit to hold a still : — 



Commonivealtli lnsirnctio)is re tlic use of Stills for purposes other thait 



for Distilling Spirits. 



1. Any person making a still without the written permission of the 



collector is liable to a penalty of ^100. 



2. Any person having a still in his possession or custody, without 



lawful authority, is liable to a penalty of ^500. 



