26 
MITCHAM : ITS PHYSIC GARDENERS AND PLANTS. 
wrote, about 250 acres (of which 100 acres were devoted to the 
cultivation of peppermint) were occupied by physic gardeners. 
At the present time more than 800 acres are devoted to the 
cultivation of medicinal herbs, at Mitcham, Merton and Carshal- 
ton. 
About 1768 or 1769, Mr. Potter began the cultivation of physic 
plants at Mitcham. He was succeeded by his relative, Mr. James 
Moore, who furnished Mr Malcolm with the information contain- 
ed in his work relating to the medicinal plants cultivated at Mit- 
cham. 
The following are the names of the principal growers at the 
present time: with the number of acres of land each person has 
under cultivation, and the number of stills in use. 
Grower's Names. No. of Acres. No. of Stills. 
Mr. Moore .... 350 - 5 
" Arthur .... 300 3 
" Martin - - - - 40 3 (not much used.) 
u Newman- - - - 40 1 
" Sprules .... 50 2 
" Weston - - - - 40 
820 14 
Several other growers cultivate a few acres of land. 
A considerable number of medicinal plants are cultivated at 
Mitcham. Among the most important of these may be men- 
tioned aconite, chamomiles, belladonna, elaterium, liquorice, hen- 
bane, lavender, spearmint, peppermint, roses, poppies, savine, vio- 
lets, angelica, stinking orache, caraway, foxglove, lovage, eleam- 
pane, marshmallow, and hemlock. The principal part of the 
growers cultivate only peppermint and lavender, and some a few 
chamomiles. Mr. Arthur grows rather a larger number of plants 
than any other. 
We propose occasionally to notice a few of the more interest- 
ing of the physical herbs cultivated at Mitcham, beginning with 
chamomiles and lavender. 
I. CHAMOMILES. 
1. Varieties. — There are two well-known sorts or varieties of 
the officinal chamomile [Anthemis nobilis, Linn.) cultivated at 
Mitcham, one called the single chamomile (chamomelum /lore sim- 
