loTH June, 19 12.] 



M'nit Cultivation. 



36; 



SMALL RURAL INDUSTRIES. 



B.— MINT CULTIVATION. 



{By Jostfli KnigJit.) 

 Mint {MciifJia) includes the Penny-royal {Mciitlia Puleghim), also 

 Spearmint {Mentha vi/idis), which is cultivated for culinary purpos<:S, be- 

 sides other species. Our business 

 here is with the plant commonly 

 known as Black Mint {Mentha 

 fiferita). Fnaii this is produced 

 the weU-known Oil of Peppermint, 

 which is largely used in medicine, 

 confectionery, and in the manufac- 

 ture of cordials. 



Black Mint is cultivated largely in 

 England and other countries for 

 the extraction of oil, it is a hardy 

 plant, loving a cool moist climate 

 and a free soil. It thrives well on 

 the hillsides in Gippsland and similar 

 situations, is easily managed, and 

 gives good return for labour be- 

 stowed on it. 



The following is a brief descrip- 

 tion of its cultivation and treat- 

 ment : — - 



Planting and Cultivation. 



The plant used to establish a crop 

 consists of pieces of the stolons or 

 runners taken from the parent plant ; 

 like most of the " Mint " tribe, it 

 is very prolific in producing these ^lack mint (mentha piperita). 

 runners. Slips with three or four joints are sufficient — they should be 

 well rooted, and the stronger they are the more prolific the first year's 



crop will be. The runners 



are planted -out in well pre- 

 pared soil, and should stand 

 about 15 to 18 inches apart 

 from plant to plant each way. 

 The land should be clean and 

 free from weeds, as the dis- 

 tillation afterwards of the 

 produce renders foreign matters 

 undesirable. Care with the 

 first crop will save much trouble 

 in future working, as the plant, 

 when once established, will, to 

 a large extent, protect itself 

 from any intrusion of weeds. 



Fairly deep cultivation is 



necessary. The plant is chiefly 



a surface feeder, but requires some depth of soil in order to 



obtain the best results. The land should be well worked to a fine tilth 



6004. X 



stolons or runners. 



