II Nov., 191 2.] Geranium Culttvation for Essential Oil. 



679 



A well-balanced plant should be the aim, so that the growth will be 

 even all over. 



Season for Cutting. 



The cutting season extends over two or three months, and the best 

 time for this purpose is when the plant is in, or coming into, bloom ; but 

 it must be understood that no oil is obtained from the flower — but from the 

 leaf and green portion of the plant. The plants should be matured, and 

 this is indicated by the tinge of yellow that .shows itself in the foliage. 



The young, unmatured foliage does not give off that amount of oil 

 which is obtained from the more matured portion of the plant. In many 

 cases the plant will be found to throw out a second and third course of 

 blooms ^vhpn the cutt'ng may be prolonged. 



CUTTINGS FOR THE STILL. 



The plant should be cut back every season, or it becomes coarse and 

 woody. 



The above illustration shows the parts which are cut for the still; 

 the lower or strong portion of the plant .should be shortened back, to give 

 that bushy growth which alone is useful. 



Distilling. 



The treatment of this plant in the extraction of the oil is similar to 

 that of others, which have been fully described in previous papers. 



The boiling should be carried on slowly ; and where a good class of 

 oil is desired, the receiver should be changed when half is taken off, and 

 the last received returned to the still, and the first put aside to cool, when 

 the oil may be easily lifted off from the surface of the water. Unlike 

 roses, no second distilling is necessary, as the oil separates freely. 



