30 
MITCHAM I ITS PHYSIC GARDENERS AND PLANTS. 
The London Market is chiefly supplied with chamomiles from 
Mitcham. The following according to Mr. Squire, are the quanti- 
ties supplied to the principal dealers in London : 
From Mitcham. 
From other places in 
the vicinity of London, 
Total. 
Average of 
three years, 
1840-41-42. 
12 tons. 
• 
Average of 
three years 
1843-44-45. 
4 tons. 
Average of 
three years, 
1843-44-45. 
16 cwt. 
Average of 
three years, 
1843-44-45. 
4 tons 16 cwt. 
II. LAVENDER. 
One species of Lavender only is cultivated at Mitcham, namely, 
common or garden lavender, the Lavendula iiera, D. C. The spike 
lavender, Lavendula spica, D. C, is not cultivated there. 
Lavender is cultivated by dividing the roots, each of which forms 
the rudiments of three or four new plants. These are planted in 
rows about 18 inches apart,with the same interval between the plants. 
The second year, each alternate plant is removed to leave room for 
those which remain. It is common to renew the plantation after the 
second year ; but Mr. Arthur who has given much attention to this 
subject at Mitcham, has succeeded in preserving the same planta- 
tion during five or six years. 
Lavender is liable to a disease when too thickly planted. This 
occurs chiefly in the middle of the plantation, and appears to re- 
sult from the aroma of the flowers, which in excess has a poison- 
ous influence on the plants. By thinning the plantation, and en- 
suring a free current of air, this influence is prevented or retarded. 
The disease is rarely if ever met with in gardens, where single 
plants are cultivated. Lavender does not require a very rich soil. 
A good deal of oil of lavender is drawn at Mitcham. The ca- 
pacity of the stills varies from 700 to 1000 gallons. The laven- 
der packed in bundles called mats (about 1 cwt. each) is carried 
to the still-house. A 1000 gallon still holds from twenty to 
twenty-four mats of lavender. The mat or covering of the bun- 
dles is not put into the still with the herb. 
The flowers are put into the still with the stalks as cut from the 
ground. It takes about two hours to get the steam up ; then the 
