April 1, 1865.] 



THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



FLOWERS AND PLANTS. 



395 



where pomades and oils are made. Rose-trees are planted in a cool 

 ground, and may be exposed to the north wind without any injury. 

 They bear about eight ounce of flowers in the second year, and twelve 

 ounces in the following ones. The flowering season is in May, and the 

 flowers, which generally open during the night, must be gathered before 

 sunrise, as after that they lose half their fragrance. 



The orange-blossoms used for perfumery are those of the bigarrade or 

 bitter orange-tree {Citrus- Bigaradia). They yield by distillation an 

 essential oil known under the name of neroly, which forms one of the 

 chief ingredients in eau-de-Cologne ; a pomade and an oil are also 

 obtained from them by maceration. From the leaves of the tree is 

 produced an essential oil called petit-grain, and i'rom the rind of the 

 fruit another essence is expressed which is styled oil of orange, or 

 Portugal. The edible orange-tree (Citrus aurantium) also produces 

 essences, but they are of a very inferior quality. 



The largest bigarrade-tree plantations are to be found in the South 

 of France, in Calabria, and in Sicily. This tree requires a dry soil with 

 a southern aspect. It bears flowers three years after grafting, increasing 

 every year until it reaches its maximum, when it is about twenty years 

 old. The quantity depends on the age and situation, a full-grown tree 

 yielding on an average from 50 lbs. to 60 lbs. of blossoms. The flowering 

 season is in May, and the flowers are gathered two or three times a week 

 after sunrise. 



The tuberose (Poliantlies tuberosa) is a native of the East Indies, 

 where it grows wild, in Java and Ceylon, 

 and was first brought to Europe by Simon 

 de Tovar, a Spanish physician, in 1594. 

 The Dutch monopolised this flower for 

 some time, cultivating it in hothouses ; 

 but it has now found its way to France, 

 Italy, and Spain, and thrives well in those 

 climates. 



Eternal spring, with smiling verdure here 

 Warms the mild air, and crowns the youthful 



year. 

 The tuberose ever breathes, ' and violets 



blow. " 



Tuberose {Poliantlies tuberosa). 



It springs from a bulb which is planted in the autumn and bears flowers 

 the following year. Each plant rises about three feet, and produces 

 every day two full-blown flowers, which open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 

 according to localities, but always with the most precise regularity ; 

 they must be gathered immediately, as their fragrance does not last 

 long. , 



Cassie (Acacia Farnesiana') is a shrub of the acacia tribe, which grows 

 in southern latitudes. Its height ranges from five to six feet, and it 



