COMMERCIAL PEODUCTION OF THYMOL FROM HORSEMINT. 



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the thymol is extracted. Thymol is extensively used in medicine 

 and serves as an antiseptic. It is used internally for the treatment 

 of certain conditions and is the basis of a number of important phar- 

 maceutical compounds. 



The importation of thymol for the 10 years 1906 to 1915. inclusive, 

 as compiled from the weekly report of ' 'Imports for consumption" 

 in the Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter, is shown in Table IV. 



Table IV. — Importation of thymol for 10 years, 1906 to 1915, inclusive. 



Year. 



Imports. 



Year. 



Iiaports. 



1906 



Pounds. 

 2,983 

 4,753 

 5,010 

 10, 336 

 3,352 



1911 



Pounds. 

 3, 576 



1907 



1912 



2,930 



1908 



1913 



6,620 



1909 



1914 



18.048 



1910 . .... 



1915 



2,031 









From these figures it would seem that the annual consumption of 

 thymol in the United States is sufficiently great to warrant a small 

 industry for its production when carried on in connection with the 

 distillation of other volatile oils. 



The estimates of the cost of production summarized in Table V 

 are based on the conditions existing in central Florida, where actual 

 field tests have been made for several years. Such items as land 

 rent, taxes, etc., are not included, nor has any allowance been made 

 for depreciation, upkeep, or interest on the distilling plant, since it is 

 doubtful whether the profits are sufficient to warrant the starting 

 of an independent industry in thymol production if all the costs of 

 equipment for the year are to be charged to this item alone. 



Table V. — Estimates of cost per acre for producing horsemint. 



Expenses. 



First 

 year. 



Each suc- 

 ceeding 

 year. 



Growing plants in seed bed 



Fitting land 



Planting in field 



Fertilizer 



Cultivation 



Harvesting and distilling. . 



Total , 



In these estimates it has been assumed that the residues on remov- 

 ing the thymol from the oil will at least pay the cost of manufacture. 

 It has been determined that a plantation of horsemint will not need 

 to be replanted oftener than once in five years, and under average 

 soil conditions it is possible that it will continue to give a full yield 

 for a stiU longer time. Consideration should also be given to the 



