374 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



All the five species are valuable honey plants. The essential oil can be 

 separated into the crystalline thymol and the liquid thymen and cymol. 

 About fifty species are known, from the Mediterranean coast to the 

 highest Alps, North-E astern Africa to Northern India and Western 

 Tibet. 



Basil. 



Annual and perennial herbs extending over the civilized world, 

 comprising about forty species, and common weeds in many countries 

 where indigenous. They are favourites with the natives in the tropics 

 and hardly a garden is to be seen without a plant. 



The three species named in the list are the most common in cultiva- 

 tion, and are to be seen from India to Australia, across to America and 

 Africa. The plant has many valuable uses in condiments, perfumery, 

 and as a febrifuge, and the species differ considerably in their scent. 



Patchouli. 



A most popular garden plant, with a particularly agreeable perfume. 

 It is common in India, wild and cultivated. One hundredweight of the 

 herb yields about 28 oz. of oil ; but the essence is chiefly obtained by 

 enfleurage. A cephalic snuff highly appreciated by the natives is made 

 from the dried leaves. 



Lavender. 



Two species are commonly grown in Europe, Lavandula angustifolia 

 and L. vera. The lavender plant prefers dry soil and succeeds well on the 

 open heath lands in some of our English counties. One of the best 

 plantations I have seen is on calcareous land 'in Dorsetshire. The 

 Breadstone Lavender Farm is about 400 acres in extent, only started a 

 few years ago and now proved a financial success. 



Lavender is not the only cultivation carried out, for roses cover two 

 acres, with certain portions in Thyme, Balm, Mint, and other essential 

 oil-bearing plants. 



There are two cuttings of Lavender during the season, first in July 

 and second in September. Propagation is by seedlings, root division, and 

 by cuttings. When cut down annually for distillation purposes the 

 plantation requires renewing every four years. From a good growth in 

 a season a return of from £15 to £100 from the acre is realized. 



L. latifolia, more grown in the South of Europe, is the richest yielder 

 of oil. The quality of the oil of the different species seems to vary 

 according to their locality of growth. 



L. Stoechas is found in cultivation in Australia. The plant is utilized 

 for oil distillation and other purposes. It grows quickly and comes into 

 bloom early, and will remain in full flower for five months. Seeds will 

 keep for five years. Seed which falls germinates, so that around each 

 bush many seedlings will be found. Bees are passionately fond of the 

 nectar of the flowers. One grower calculates that a ton of the finest 

 flavoured honey can be obtained annually from an acre of this Lavender. 

 In tropical countries the Lavender likes some shade. 



