120 On the Cultivation of Mentha Piperita. 



fifteen inches from each other ; the hoe can then be used 

 freely between them, keeping down the weeds and checking 

 the tendrils. The soil should be brought three inches high 

 along each side of the plants, so as to stay the formation of 

 leaf in the low portion of the stock ; the leaves will then 

 become very thick, well developed, and full of oil. The 

 time for plantmg is the early part of September, and that of 

 reaping in February, when just bursting into bloom. 



Peppermint should be distilled in its fresh state, and the 

 process adopted should be either with water or steam. Steam 

 is certainly the best and should always be used where there 

 is quantity; the aroma is finer, there is less resin and colom^- 

 ing substance in the oil, and it is also a much cleaner process. 

 The grower should therefore be guided in adopting water or 

 steam according to the quantity grown. 



The want of some Httle knowledge in the distillation of 

 oil-producing plants mihtates in no small degTce against 

 the farming of this class of vegetation ; but with veiy little 

 care and observ^ation, this knowledge can easily be obtained ; 

 the only general instruction which can be given is, to be 

 careful to retain an equable temperature, never exceeding 212°. 

 All volatile oils obtained from vegetation of dehcate aroma 

 are very evanescent, and requfre a loiu temperature to secure 

 them, but those, in character with peppermint, where 

 stearessence or stearoptene exist, require the temperature 

 indicated. 



The apparatus need not be expensive for the purpose of 

 distilling peppermint; £20 would supply the requisite for 

 20 or 50 acres. 



To avoid any difficulty in keeping the distilling apparatus 

 on the farm between the seasons, the ready aid rendered 

 by the Government to native industries, would assist in 

 making some arrangement with the distilleries department 

 for the pohce stations to take charge of the still head and 

 worm during the months when not required. 



To my mind, the farming of this plant in Victoria is very 

 interesting ; interesting inasmuch as we actually find our- 

 selves competing with England in the production of an 

 article in which she has always excelled, and approaching a 

 position which she has hitherto held without a rival. 



