The Washington herald., 1907-05-13

perfume center Of Southeast France,
where 10000, 100000 pounds Of flowers are
converted into extracts and essences every
summer.
The climate Of this country compares
most favorably with that Of the flower
centers of the Old World. The roses that
grow on the southern slopes of the Bal
ksns, and between the Maritime Alps and
the Mediterranean are easily rivalled by
those of the Southern States in this coun-
try. The roses most used for making
the celebrated altar Of roses are the red
damask of Bulgaria. and the hundred-leaf
or cabbage rose of Provence, in Southern
France. An expert on rose culture ia
Augusta, Ca, declares that the Gloire de
France rose has the true odor of altar of
roses, is a perfect bloomeT. hardy and
productive, and could be made the source
of a remunerative manufacturing indus
try. OIL of geraniums is made from the
three varieties most common in all Ameri-
can gardens the rose geranium. the
skeleton leayed. and the nutmeg. All We
use comes from the distilleries Of Algiers.
Reunion Islands, Spain. Corsica, and
Italy It is claimed that Floridas facili-
ties for geranium culture are vastly su-
perior to those Of Algiers.
The orange is the most profitable plant
to distillers and manufacturers Of per
fumes. The leaf, the flower. and the rind
Of the fruit are all used In some branch
Of the art, and this tree fiourishes on
many thousands OF American acres. At
Santa Barbara, Cal, the manufacture Of
neroi, or orange flower oil, was attempt
ed some years ago. and an effort TO get
a good extract of violet, rose, and tube
rose was also made. but these failed.
Scientists say it was because the expert
ment stations were too near the coast.
where the flowers were affected by the
Alaskan current. Farther inland the con
litions are better adapted to such work.
Les Angeles experimenters have reported
pleasing success in making Oh from lemon,
lime, orange, and eucalyptus.
On the San Mateo farm. near Jackson
Vile. Fla, E. Moulie started a perfume
arm in 1880, and proved the vast possi-
oilities in that line for America. The
products of the orange and lemon were
distilled, oil was made from
emon verbena. and the process of en-
leurage tried with many of the more
lelicate plants. The orange flowers Of the
Louisiana coast are declared 20 be the
)est in America for perfumers uses, and
among the best in the world.
I H. sr
United States but not for commerce.
California and the dry lands of the West
could be made to yield a most profitable
crop of il. Thyme. used so extensively
in the manufacture of soaps, has become
fairly we'll naturalized in America. France
iistills $1,000 pounds a year from her wild
growth, and the United States imports
about 5000 pounds. Eau de cologne can
not be made without rosemary, the stimu-
ating effect in the water being impaired
by this plant 1t is only a rare guest
in our gardens. yet can be grown in
abundance wherever there are calcareous
soils For five consecutive years the
United States imported orris root at the
rate of 25S,o0O pounds a year. the value
running up to $4,000. yet the iris. Of
which it is part. is so adaptable to our
climatic conditions that in Virginia, as
the blue flag" Il escapes from the gar
lens and wanders wild over the fields
and marshes.
The annual importation of oil Of al
nonds, an essential in the manufacture
IF fine soaps. IS about 5000 pounds. the
price from $50 10 50 a pound This is
made from the bitter almond which grows
hardy here from California and Florida
10 Michigan, yet has never been culti-
rated for this purpose. its California use
being as a stock for the sweet almond
and as a pollenizer for sweet almond
lowers. Fennel grows wild on the Po-
omac, yet the annual cost OF imported
'araway and fennel oils exceeds s75. 900 /
Anise and coriander are easily naturalized |
n America, but are not raised for profit. |
Cassie, the "opop0nax' Of the South. and |
he indigenous 'huisache' of Texas. are /
lamed by agricultural experts as profta- |
Die plants.
Oils from sassafras and wintergreen |
ave already proved a profitable industry |
n parts Of the United States. and the oil /
istilled from the red or pencil cedar has |
royed superior to that from the famous /
edars of Lebanon. Tube roses. vIolets /
nd yellow Jasmine have all had their /
ests in American manufacturers hands I
nd have proved that their essences are
ust as good as those Of foreign make. |
Wild ginger. known as the Canadian |
nskeroot. yields an aromatic oil that can |
e used in Strengthening perfumes; the /
weet-leaved goldenrod distills into an oil |
hat smells like anise. and the sweet bay /
nd swamp laurel all offer great possibni- !
les in the manufacturing line. As vet
hey have appealed little to the practical |
de Of man, and he thinks Of them still /
S only essential elements Of beautiful /
lndscapc.