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Some Minor Farm Crops. 



Distilling. 



The process of distilling is similar to that adopted in the 

 case of peppermint. To secure the best oil, distillation should 

 be allowed to proceed for only 3^ hours. A further quantity 

 of oil can be obtained if distillation is continued for 1^ hours, 

 but it is of an inferior quality. 



The oil is stored in bottles similar to those used for the 

 oil from peppermint, and it is then ready for the wholesale 

 druggist. The cost of distilling is about 1/. for 20 mats. 



Lavender growing is much more costly than peppermint, 

 and a capital of at least 30Z. an acre is required. 



Disease. 



The crop is subject to attacks of a fungus disease known 

 by the growers as " shab," and the plants that are attacked 

 are gradually destroyed. The fungus gives them a brown 

 appearance. 



Prices. 



The fluctuations in the prices of the essential oil is of some 

 interest, and the appended table taken from The Perfumery 

 and Essential Oil Record, edited by Mr. John C. Umney, F.C.S., 

 shows the average wholesale prices since the beginning of 

 this century. 



1 1896=60;- 



In 1886 a record price of 120.5. per lb. was obtained for 

 English oil, but the price fell from that date until in 1909 the 

 oil was sold for as little as 17s. per lb., an un remunerative price. 

 Some English growers maintain that 40s. per lb. is the lowest 

 price at which it can be profitably grown. At the present time 

 58s. to 61s. can be obtained for English oil and 15s. 6(i. for 

 French oil. The rise in price of French oil is due to some 

 extent to labour conditions. 



The greatest influence on the value of the oil is the ordinary 

 law of supply and demand, and frost, drought, disease, etc., 

 by affecting the yields, are also factors in the price. 



Gordon H. Grellier, P.A.S.I. 



<; Queen Anne's Gate, 



Westminster, B.W. 



