OILS 287 



Lemon oil is obtained from the rind of the lemon. The oil 

 is produced in small quantities in nearly all tropical and sub- 

 tropical countries, but chiefly near Messina, Sicily. The 

 United States imports about 450,000 pounds annually. Lemon 

 oil is also produced in other Mediterranean countries, New 

 South Wales, Jamaica, Florida, and California. Several 

 methods have been developed for obtaining the oil, but the 

 method chiefly used in Sicily consists of pricking the rind 

 with a needle brush and catching the oil with a sponge by 

 hand pressure on the rind. Lemon oil is chiefly used as a 

 flavoring material. 



Orange oil is derived mostly from the sweet and sour orange 

 rind, particularly in Sicily and Italy. The oil is expressed by 

 the method just mentioned in connection with lemon oil. 

 Orange oil is used in scenting soaps and toilet waters and in 

 perfumes. The United States imports 80,000 pounds an- 

 nually. 



Lime oil is produced in Italy from the rind of the lime in 

 the same manner as lemon oil. In the West Indies the lime 

 oil is obtained as a by-product by distillation in concentrating 

 lime juice. 



Oil of cloves is derived from the familiar spice Eugenia 

 caryophyllata, native of the Molucca Islands, where it is still 

 most widely cultivated as a spice. Clove oil is now produced 

 chiefly in Zanzibar and the Pemba Islands. The oil is ob- 

 tained by distillation of the cloves or dried unexpanded flower 

 buds. Cloves yield 15 per cent, of clove oil by the process 

 of distillation. The oil is clear at first but soon becomes yel- 

 lowish in color. It has a high specific gravity, being heavier 

 than water. Clove oil is used in medicine, as an antiseptic, 

 in microscopy and in flavoring. 



Ginger oil is obtained chiefly from the West Indies and 

 East Indies. The oil is distilled from the roots of Jamaica 

 ginger. These roots or rhizomes yield about 2 or 3 per cent, 

 oil of a yellow color which is chiefly used in flavoring liqueurs. 



