200 ODOROGRAPHIA. 



1076 acres at 8 lbs per acre ... 8608 lbs. 

 1119 „ 24 „ „ ... 26856 „ 



35,464 lbs. 



which is a considerably smaller yield than in former years. The 

 causes of this falling-off are that the area planted this year is 

 considerably smaller than that of any of the three preceding years, 

 by reason of the unfavourable climatic conditions which prevailed 

 during the planting period; also heavy rains and ravages of insects, 

 such as wire-worms and grasshoppers have seriously damaged both 

 the old and the new plants in the peppermint plantations. The 

 grasshopper pest was so severe that it was necessary to cut the 

 first herb a week before its proper time. The average crop of the 

 preceding five years, 1888-92 was 51,400. Michigan oil is not 

 generally so much esteemed as Wayne County (N.Y.) oil, because 

 a great deal of it is brought to market dementholised. 



The English crop of 1893 was so severely damaged by the 

 abnormal drought that the yield of the first cutting was only 

 one half of the average. 



The American method of cultivation has been described by a 

 grower as follows : — " In early spring the ground, having been 

 ploughed, is marked out in furrows 2 J feet apart. In these furrows 

 are placed the roots and runners w^hich have multiplied from the 

 setting the preceding year. One acre of good roots usually 

 furnishes sufficient to set from 5 to 10 acres of new ground. These 

 roots and runners are from one-eighth to one-fourth of an inch 

 in diameter and from 1 to 3 feet in length when in a healthy 

 state. In setting, they are carried in large sacks, strung over the 

 shoulders of the workmen, who place them in rows so that there 

 shall be one or two living roots or runners at every point in the 

 row. While placing the roots with their hands, they at the same 

 time cover them with their feet. It is quite an interesting sight, 

 owing to the queer motions of the workmen, to see these 

 roots planted. A good, experienced workman, in mellow ground, 

 with good roots, can set about one acre per day. The young 

 plants appear above the ground about two weeks after setting, and 

 are carefully kept clear of weeds until August, when, if the season 

 is fair, the plants have thrown out such a quantity of runners as to 

 render further weeding very difficult." 



