152 



MANUFACTURES OF GRASSE AND CANNES. 



1857. specimens, in remaining congealed at a much higher tempera- 

 ture. In the market it commands a far higher price than the 

 Turkish otto, being worth from 1800 to 2000 francs the 

 kilogramme. 1 It is but little in demand, and the supply is 

 comparatively small. 



Jessamine. The jessamine, which is cultivated upon an extensive scale, 

 is Jasminum grandiflorum, L, a species with large white, ex- 

 ceedingly fragrant flowers. The plants are all grafted upon 

 stocks of Jasminum officinale, L. : they are planted close together 

 in rows, and are not allowed to attain a height of more than 

 about two feet. They are kept of this low stature in order to 

 facilitate their protection from cold, which is effected by heaping 

 the earth completely over their stems at the commencement of 

 winter. Jessamine flowers are in season in July and August : 

 they are chiefly employed to communicate their odour to oils 

 and pomades. Jessamine water was shown to me by one 

 manufacturer. 



Cassie. The Cassie, Acacia farnesiana, Willd., is cultivated chiefly 

 about Cannes, where it is to be seen forming a bush or small 

 tree. Its flowers, which are very fragrant, are used in perfuming 

 oil and pomade : they are produced in September, and are worth 

 five to six francs the kilogramme. 



Geranium. The geranium is cultivated for the purpose of obtaining its 

 essential oil. The tuberose is grown at Cannes as well as at 

 Grasse, its deliciously fragrant flowers being used, like those of 

 the cassie, for scenting oil and pomade. 



Distillation. The establishments where the distillation of essences and 

 waters, and the manufacture of other articles of perfumery are 

 carried on, are many of them of considerable extent, and kept 

 up in a style of great completeness. The stills are of copper, 

 and heated by a naked fire ; they are mostly, if not all, of small 

 size, compared with the great stills used in this country. Their 

 small capacity is, however, compensated by their numbers, 

 some manufacturers having a dozen and others twice that 

 number. In one operation which I saw in progress, the charge 



Equal to (say) 41s. to 45s. per oz. 



