1 Nov., 1897. | QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 418 | 
chemist in Brisbane, established a flower garden at Enoggera, solely for the 
purpose of scent production. He went largely into the business, and included 
distilling in the work. There are many in Brisbane who can recollect: the 
delicious perfumes he produced. We reprint from the “ Cocoon,” published 
by the Victorian Silk Culture Association, a few particulars which may induce 
some who have flower gardens to try the process recommended for gathering 
the essential oils of flowers :— 
An Experiment wirn Turrroses ann LAavENpER. 
Throughout Victoria at the present time there are an increasing number of 
ersons who are turning their attention to the production of flowers for per- 
umery. This indicates that shortly we will be able to produce all the essentiai 
oils and scents required for our own market. But still there appears to bea 
considerable amount of uncertainty and ignorance concerning the right kind of 
plants to grow and the best methods of treating the flowers. 
This deficiency we are trying to supply by 
those who have made the subject their study. — 
One of these experimenters is Mr, H. Frost, near Hotham, who during the 
last six years has tried several plants, and treated them in various ways. He 
informs us that three years were wasted with lavender owing to wrong infor- 
mation, and by planting the Lavender spica, an illustration of which was given 
in the “Cocoon” for May. 
This variety gives an abund 
pay to grow. 
He finds that the Lavender vera, which we recommended in the article 
above referred to, produces a splendid perfume equal to any imported. 
The method adopted is to strip the flowers from the plant when in full 
blossom. ‘This is done by running the hand along the flower stalk, and can be 
done easily by children. The flowers are then placed in a small still and 
steamed for about three hours. ‘The resulting oilis found to be vastly superior 
to that obtained by distilling the whole of the flower stalk. \ Practical 
experience proves that the stripped flowers will yield the best oil of lavender, 
for which 70s. per lb. was offeredin Melbourne. 
Tuberoses have also been tried. A smallplot of ground 12 fect by 12 feet was 
treated thisyear. The flowers were picked as they appeared, and placed upon 
sheets of glass which were smeared with prepared fat. This was continued as 
long as the flowers were in bloom, the actual work taking only a few minutes 
every second day. 
The result was 2 1b. of perfumed fat, which was sold in Melbourne at 12s. 
per lb. The cost of crude fat being only 28., the net profit was therefore 
£1 2s. Mr. Frost, however, states that he thinks 6s. per lb. would pay farmers 
very well, as the picking of the flowers can be done by the children, who can also 
spread them over the fat and remove the spent flowers. ‘The size of trays used 
are 16 by 14 inches. The sheets of glass are fixed in wooden frames made 
from 8 by 3 inchdeal. These trays are piled one over the other, and the fat is 
spread on both sides of the glass +-inch thick, leaving 3-inch clear around the 
sides. The fat, after being spread, is scarified with a coarse comb, in order to 
offer as large a surface as possible for receiving the perfume. Mr. Frost 
recommends this method in preference to the oil process which was described 
in the “Cocoon” for May. 
The single tuberose is recommended, an 
apart and 8 inches between the plants. 
flowering season. 
The Rose Geranium, Peppermint, and Lemon Thyme haye also been tried, 
and all do well and yield good essential oil. He recommends growers to plant 
Lavender vera, and to be sure that the plants are from cuttings true to name, 
and not from seed. Around the lavender field the geranium should be planted 
in double rows, which will act as a breakwind, and around the beds and along 
the paths the lemon thyme can be planted, thus using the land to full advantage, 
cl 
obtaining the experiences of 
ant oil, but is of inferior quality, and does not 
d they are planted in rows 1 foot 
They are well watered during the 
