40 FAMILIAR ‘GARDEN FLOWERS. 
small growers take their crops to the distillery, and pay a 
certain rate per ton. The quantity of oil extracted from 
a ton of lavender varies according to the season, a rather 
dry and hot summer being the most favourable to an 
abundant production. From 15 lbs. to 16 Ibs. is considered 
a fair average, and in some years it reaches 20 lbs., but not 
often, The distilling commences about the‘ lst of August, 
and is continued until the end of September or the middle 
of October, according to the extent of the crop. 
In the propagation of a stock of lavender, and in the 
management of the plantations after their formation, a 
very simple course of procedure has been found to be the 
most satisfactory. Propagation is effected by means of 
cuttings taken in the autumn, October being considered 
the most suitable month in which to take them. After 
the shoots selected for cuttings are separated from the old 
plants, they are left in small heaps on the ground for six 
weeks, and are then planted. Rooted slips are, as far as 
possible, taken advantage of for the increase of stock, and 
when these can be had they are at once planted in the 
field, at a distance of eighteen inches apart each way. 
