OILS 289 



and is derived by distillation of the dried unripe allspice ber- 

 ries. The dried berries yield 3 to 4 per cent, of a reddish oil 

 which is much used for flavoring purposes. 



Oil of bay is derived from a tree (Pimenta acris), closely 

 related to the allspice bush. It is a small, handsome tree suit- 

 able for use in ornamenting gardens and grounds. The leaves 

 yield by distillation I to 3 per cent, of oil which is chiefly used 

 in the preparation of bay rum. The best grade of the oil 

 comes from St. Thomas. The tree begins bearing oil-yielding 

 leaves at 3 years of age. The average yield of oil is 50 pounds 

 per acre annually. 



Cajuput oil is obtained from a shrub (Melaleuca cajuputi), 

 native of Bouru and Banda Islands. The shrub belongs to the 

 family Myrtaceae. The oil is obtained by distillation of the 

 leaves and is of greenish color. Cajuput oil is used in medi- 

 cine chiefly for external application. The United States im- 

 ports 10,000 pounds of this oil annually. 



Lignaloe oil comes upon the market chiefly from Mexico. 

 It is derived by distillation of the wood of Bursera delpechi- 

 ana and B. aloexylon. Oil of the same name also comes from 

 South America, where it is obtained from Ocotea caudata. 

 The Mexican trees yield the best oil when 40 to 60 years old. 

 On young trees, however, strips of bark are removed to hasten 

 the maturity of the wood. In order to obtain the oil the wood 

 is cut into chips and distilled. It yields 7 to 10 per cent, of the 

 oil. Lignaloe oil is an important Mexican export product. 



Star anise oil is derived by distillation from the fresh fruits 

 of star anise (Illicium verwm), native to China and Tonkin. 

 It is also widely cultivated in various parts of the Tropics and 

 subtropics. The plant is propagated by seed and the seedlings 

 are taken from the nurseries for planting at the age of I 

 year. The tree is pyramidal in shape and attains a height of 

 25 to 50 feet. The tree begins bearing at 10 years of age. 

 Upon distillation the fruits yield 1.5 per cent, of oil which is 

 much used in flavoring liqueurs. The tree fruits twice annually. 



