39 



The first attempts at cultivating this herb were made more than 

 twenty years since in Lanesborough, Berkshire co. It has be- 

 come a considerable article of export both to England and 

 France. It is put up in tin canisters, containing 20 lbs. each. 

 The market has been extremely capricious, and the price of the 

 oil has vibrated from seventy-five cents to sixteen dollars per lb. 



Forty thousand pounds are supposed now to be annually rais- 

 ed in the country. It is stated that a farmer in Ohio had at one 

 time forty-five acres in mint, and in the course of two years 

 produced 2000 lbs. of oil. The farmers in Ashfield have in a 

 great measure relinquished the cultivation, as it can be produc- 

 ed, it is said, to greater advantage in Western New York and 

 Ohio. In these places it is probably favored by a virgin and 

 unexhausted soil. The climate at the West is deemed more fa- 

 vorable, and the plants are not so liable to be winter-killed. — 

 The land being richer and requiring no manure, the crop is not 

 so much infested with weeds. 



The essence is prepared by putting one oz. of oil to one 

 quart of alcohol ; sometimes much less oil. The oil which is 

 exported is greatly adulterated. The essence of peppermint 

 has some coloring matter added to it. It is said that a single 

 confectionary establishment in the city of New York consumes 

 150 lbs. of this oil by the year. It would be well for the 

 health of the community if they used no worse materials. 



Other herbs have heretofore been grown and distilled in Ash- 

 field ; and many of the ever-green herbs, which grow wild in 

 the pastures and forests. The business of growing, manufac. 

 turing and vending medicinal and aromatic oils and essences at 

 one time employed a large number of young persons in this 

 town and vicinity. They went out with all their capital stock 

 in essence-bottles slung in a basket upon their arms ; and re- 

 turned with substantial contributions to the hive. In this 

 humble way the foundation of several considerable fortunes has 

 been laid ; not a little knowlege of the world acquired ; and the 

 natural shrewdness of these travelling merchants somewhat 

 sharpened. 



