Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-01-28
ROSE FARMS OF EUROPE
Raising Flowers to be Used in
Making Perfume.
LARGEST is IN ROUMANIA
Hearty a Million Women and Girls
Find Employment on the Flower
Farms of Southeastern Europe
Whole Families Migrate to Help
In Picking.

Few people realize the extent OF the
/ srfume industry or Of the immense
lumber Of flowers that are annually
. nown for the extract gained from
lem. 1t is estimated that millions OF
3unds of rose leaves are annually re-
iced to perfumes, and that nearly l.
10000 women work following the old
)me recipes and supply the markets
the world.
In southeastern Europe the rose
thering season Is from May to the
lddle of July, and 100000 women and
rls are employed in this industry.
the south of France and near
Iris roses are cultivated for the pur-
Sc of manufacturing the altar, and
or 100000 pounds of rose leaves
3 annually gathered
One of the largest rose fields, If not
} largest, in the world Is situated in
umania and Is over 100 miles long
40 In width. When the time OF the
umanian picking season is known,
rple come from 400 or 500 miles in
cry direction to get to work. Whole
miles migrate from Bosnia, AL
ala, and even from Greece, Rou-
mia and Asia Minor to take part
gathering the roses.
FOR two months any one who can
X roses can get job in the South
Balkans. Picking begins at early
vn when the dew Is on the leaves,
Is continued until 10 or IL a. M,
during cloudy weather. all day
ID. When the sun is shining bright
abor is discontinued toward noon,
recommended at 4 or 5, and then
k Is carried on as long as the
kers can see. Labor is paid for
the pound.
very picker is equipped with a
ket holding about two bushels, for
leaves are light. After the baskets
full, they are emptied into sacks
as soon as possible these are
sported to the houses and there
ferted into essence. The factories
re the altar Of roses Is made are
sheds; sometimes the walls are
rick, sometimes of stone, and oc-
onally of planks. On one side
the retorts In rows, copper
lbics about three feet high, with
lick furnace underneath. Each
ibic has capacity of 10 liters
quarts, but for charge only rs
is of water are used and %
IDS of rose leaves.
stillation goes on for an hour,
then the flask receiving the dis
product Is removed and the
bic recharged and the process
n again. The altar of roses is
,il which floats upon the surface,
this is subsequently taken off by
ng and condensation.
e violet plants are generally
n In fields where there are or
and lemon trees, and the shade Of
! trees Is a benefit to the growth
flower. The violet farms re-
constant irrigation. These plants
ct in rows so that gathering may
place without any one stepping
flowers.
er the gathering has taken place
made is made by bringing the
rs into contact with some very
fat, the latter being a suitable
re Of lard and suet, and careful
rified. The pomades are then
d, put into tin cans and shipped
parts OF the world. The manu-
ing perfumer removes the po-
from the tins, washing" the
lie with deodorized alcohol, which
away from the grease the odori-
| substances of the flowers. This
ing Is the basis of all fine per-
and to 1t are added the vari-
lis and substances that give to
great commercial value.
standard Scent-plants are as
s.: Rose. rose geranium, rose
citron, lavender. orris or iris
litter almond, thyme, violet, cas-
opopnax, tuberose, anise, cara
ennel, dill and coriander.
line culture Is one of the most
i've known, but as Its perfume
to be one that cannot be adul-
or initiated. 1t brings a high
On account of its general purity.
rown in the vicinity of Grasse,
and also in India, where its
elicate perfume is highly priced
teemed.