COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF THYMOL FROM HORSEMINT. 
11 
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. 
Imports. 
1906 
Pounds. 
2,983 
4,753 
5,010 
10,336 
3,352 
1911.. 
Pounds. 
3,576 
1907 
1912 
2,930 
6,620 
1908 . 
1913. 
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 ! $1 
Fitting land j 3 
Planting in field 3 
Fertilizer 8 
Cultivation 2 
Harvesting and distilling j 6 
Total I 23 
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 still longer time. Consideration should also be given to the 
