216 OLEKACEOVS PLANTS. 



three inches high, transplant them in rows two feet apart, 

 and a foot apart in the rows. 



The slips, or cuttings, are set in April, two-thirds of the 

 length in the soil, and in rows, as directed for transplanting 

 seedlings. Shade them for a few days, until they have taken 

 root ; after which, little care will be required beyond the 

 ordinary form of cultivation. 



The roots may be divided either in spring or autumn. 

 Though Lavender grows most luxuriantly in rich soil, the 

 plants are more highly aromatic, and less liable to injury 

 from severe weather, when grown in light, warm, and 

 gravelly situations. 



Use. Lavender is sometimes used as a pot-herb, " but is 

 more esteemed for the distilled water which bears its name, 

 and which, together with the oil, is obtained in the greatest 

 proportion from the flower-spikes which have been gathered 

 in dry weather, and just before the flowers are fully expand- 

 ed. The oil of lavender is obtained in the ratio of an ounce 

 to sixty ounces of dried flowers." Law. 



In the neighborhood of Mitcham, in Surrey, England, 

 upwards of two hundred acres are occupied with Lavender 

 alone. 



Varieties : 

 Broad-leaved Compared with the Common Lavender, 



La *S? er " *^ e branches of this variety are shorter, more 

 SPIKE LAVENDEB. sturdy, and thicker set with leaves ; the latter 

 being short and broad. 



The Broad-leaved Lavender rarely blossoms ; but, when 

 this occurs, the leaves of the flower-stalk are differently 

 formed from those of the lower part of the plant, and some- 

 what resemble those of the Common variety. The stalks are 

 taller, the spikes lower and looser, and the flowers smaller, 

 than those of the last named. 



The plant is very fragrant, but inferior to the Blue- 

 flowering, particularly for distillation. 



