The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-27
A Jar. OF Perfume.

Correspondents Floral CabiDet.
For the stock or basis of this perfume, gather
quantities of rose leaves, giving preference to
those having the most fragrance. Take glass
preserve-can with a screw top. and pluck the
blossoms when there is neither rain nor dew
upon them. Carefully remove the heart and pet
ais from each stem, and place them M the Jazz
with twice their bulk of fine table salt Add to
this from day to day during the rose season, OF
until you have sufficient quantity. Keep the jar
closely covered, and in cool dark place for four
weeks, thoroughly shaking it at least once eac,i
day.
While the stock is preparing you must decide
as to permanent perfume pot. Some ladies use
a glass can, and set this in large vase, but this
is not as elegant as an eafthen jar, which if you
are skillful with the brush you can easily deco
rate. For this purpose a copy Of the Portland
vase is very suitable Mine is painted light blue,
the color growing darker and richer at the bot
tom, the base being deep brownish green. On
the swelling sids Of the jar this has the effect Of
earth and sky. Across one side is a spray OF
apple blossoms, and so very hfe-hke are they
that they seem to be falling from the rim and
resting lightly on the bulge. The other has a
bunch of grasses and cats-tails in a perfectly
natural position, though growing from the
base while two swallows skim along the sky in
search of their evening meal.
A pot such as preserved ginger comes in is
very nice and needs no ornamendation. If you
do not wish to buy the preserve, which is quite
expensive, any grocer or druggist will on re-
quest. save one for you, as the ginger is fire.
quently sold out in small quantities. But what
ever you may select for a Jar, remember 1t must
be glazed inside.
Now place IN the bottom of this pot n layer Of
prepared rose leaves or stock. On this sprinkle
powdered Cloves cinnamon, allsz9ice, Orfis root,
mace and verbena, heliotrope and other sachet-
powders; pour over these little good cider
vinegar, a few drops Of camphor, cologne
any other perfume at hand Then put
on another layer of the stock, and add the green
leaves of lemon, rose, and apple, gefaniIm.
lemon, balm, and verbena, bits of orange and
lemon peel, carIloinon seeds bruised, also corian-
der, anise and caraway seeds, vanilla and Tonka
beans cut fine, a sprg each of calumet spear
mint, pennyreyal, the blossoms of heliotaope and
mignonette a bit of sage, and large handful
each of sweet clover and lavender, distributing
through this mass double the bulk Of fine salt
Sprinkle these also with vinegar Begin again
with the leaves and spices, being careful not
to put in too much cloves and nutmeg, and SO on
till the jar is full or all the stock is used
ANY essential oil will make the perfume much
nicer and little pure Canton musk is great
Improvement | have not tried it. but think
that the leaves of the little vine known as the
musk plant would give it much the same result.
Oils of citronela and lavender give it a particu-
larly delicate and agreeable odor, 1t is not
necessary that all these things be put in at
once Articles can be added and then as
they are obtained, only remembering when any
thing except liquid is put in, to add also the
proper quantity of salt.
Have the jar as nearly air-tight as possible,
keep ia cool dark place, and shake well once
each day. At the end of three months the per-
fume will have begun to ripen, and you can then
remove the cover and reeale yourself with the
delicious fragrance If tits as nice as mine you
will be amply repaid for all your trouble.
l have given the recipe to several of my
friends, and although in each case almost the
same articles were used. each spice-pot had a
distinctive odor. The method of combining
the ingredients. the length of time they stand,
and the strength of the various articles forming
the compound, all seem to give each jar an in
dividual smell.
and airing, open your jar and shake the con-
tents thoroughly; this will give your room a
delicate perfume suggesting spice islands and
the tropics.