VARIETIES. 
473 
A  little  before  the  mint  is  in  fall  inflorescence,  I  cut  up  small  and  dry  it 
in  the  shade  until  reduced  to  three  fourths  of  its  weight.  In  this  state  I 
submit  it  to  distillation  in  a  still,  in  such  a  manner  that  the  aqueous  vapor 
shall  traverse  the  plant,  supported  on  a  diaphragm,  and  rapidly  remove  the 
volatile  oil.  The  process  is  continued  as  long  as  the  distilled  water  is 
odorous,  and  the  latter  is  employed  for  a  new  operation.  Thus  obtained  the 
oil  is  greenish  colored,  but  may  be  obtained  colorless  by  careful  rectification, 
in  a  glass  retort  with  a  refrigerated  receiver.  The  product  amounts  to  from 
0.6  to  0.8  per  cent. — Repert.  de  Pharm.,  Juin,  1855. 
Phosphorus  Paste  for  Destroying  Vermin. — The  preparation  and  preser- 
vation of  this  paste,  which  is  generally  preferred  to  arsenical  preparations, 
presents  two  serious  inconveniences  :  the  facility  with  which  the  phospho- 
rus inflames  in  boiling  water,  and  the  prompt  fermentation  of  the  paste 
when  kept.  These  may  be  avoided  by  employing  the  following  formula, 
viz  :  Triturate  to  liquefaction  six  parts  of  phosphorus  and  one  part  of  pure 
sulphur,  with  six  parts  of  cold  water,  that  is,  added  in  portions  ;  afterwards 
mix  in  two  parts  of  flour  of  mustard,  ten  parts  of  cold  water,  eight  parts  of 
of  sugar,  and  twelve  parts  of  rye  flour.  Stir  it  to  the  consistence  of  a  soft 
paste,  and  keep  it  in  pots  closely  stopped. — Neues  Jahrb.  fur  Pharm.  and 
Repert.  de  Pharm. 
Fhrida  Indigo. — Indigo  was  formerly  cultivated  in  Florida,  for  which 
the  climate  and  soil  is  well  adapted.  It  grows  wild  upon  the  barrens  in 
almost  every  portion  of  the  Peninsula.  When  cultivated  by  the  English  in 
this  country,  the  Indigo  of  Florida  was  considered  in  the  London  market 
superior  to  all  others,  except  that  of  Caraccas.  The  manner  of  cultivation 
and  manufacturing  advantageously  is  as  follows : 
The  seed,  which  is  very  small,  is  soaked  for  some  twelve  hours,  then 
mixed  with  ashes  or  sand,  and  sown  in  drill  rows,  about  eighteen  inches 
apart.  The  time  for  sowing  in  Florida  is  from  the  middle  of  March  to  the 
first  of  April.  When  the  young  plant  makes  its  appearance,  it  resembles 
white  clover,  and  must  be  carefully  weeded,  and  the  earth  kept  loosed 
about  its  roots.  Three  weedings  are  sufficient  to  carry  it  up  to  the  first 
cutting,  which  commences  when  the  plant  begins  to  bloom,  say  about  the 
first  of  July.  The  plant  is  so  easily  injured  by  the  sun  after  it  is  plucked, 
that  the  cuttings  should  be  in  the  afternoon.  As  fast  as  it  is  cut,  which  is 
done  by  a  sickle,  it  is  carried  to  a  vat  called  the  steeper.  This  vat  is  made 
of  plank,  is  water-tight,  and  varies  in  size  according  to  the  extent  of  the 
operations  of  the  planter.  The  steeper  is  filled  with  cuttings  immersed  in 
water.  Planks,  with  weights  upon  them,  are  then  placed  on  ton  to  keep 
the  cuttings  beneath  the  water.  In  this  state  steeping  is  continued!  for 
about  ten  hours,  or  less,  according  to  the  temperature  of  the  water.'*"  When 
the  water  assumes  an  olive  color,  it  is  drawn  into  the  "  beater,"  another 
