36 
MITCHAM I ITS PHYSIC GARDENERS AND PLANTS. 
In the process of distillation it is a common practice to put 
the entire flower into the still as received from the grower, but 
the result is much improved by rejecting the calyx. This is 
rather troublesome, as each flower must be separately stripped, 
which occupies considerable time and increases the expense ; but 
the labor is well bestowed, as the water is much more fragrant. 
During the distillation, a quantity of concrete essential oil floats 
on the water, which when collected resembles the foreign otto ot 
roses. We have seen about half-an-ounce, which resulted from 
the distillation of 150 gallons of rose water. The quantity, how- 
ever, is too small to be worth collecting for sale, and it is general- 
ly supposed that its abstraction impoverishes the water ; and that, 
although the water is saturated at the time, it afterwards dissolves 
by degrees the essential oil which is left floating in it. The wa- 
ter should be strained before it is used, as the particles of oil are 
likely to produce irritation, especially when the water is used 
for eye lotions. 
V. ACONITE OR MONKSHOOD. 
We find that three sorts of aconite or monkshood are cultiva- 
ted at Mitch am ; but on the 3rd of September (1850) only one 
sort (termed giant monkshood) was m flower. 
l.The usual sort cultivated is called common monkshood, but 
we were too late in the season to see it. From the description 
which was given to us of it, we suppose that it is probably Aco- 
nitum Napellus. We were informed that it is planted in the au- 
tumn (October) by dividing or separating the tubers, and the roots 
may be gathered the following autumn ; but it is a better practice to 
leave them for two years in the ground. When gathered they 
are washed and dried. This sort of aconite flowers in June. 
One of the growers informed us that he was in the habit of cut- 
ting off the flowers ; we suppose for the purpose of promoting the 
growth of the roots. 
2. Mr. Arthur informs us, that the preceding is the only sort of 
aconite which he cultivates; but that there is a party-colored 
sort grown at Mitcham, the roots of which are sold in the Lon- 
don market. The flowers are white, with a little blue in them. 
It is a fine tall plant, which like the common aconite, flowers 
early in the season. We have had no opportunity of seeing this 
sort. 
