Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 December 1901 — Flower Culture. [ARTICLE]

Flower Culture.

Flower culture is no longer looked upon as a mere amusement nor is it followed merely for the love of the beautiful, and florists are becoming flower farmers who raise large quantities of perfumes. The government is encouraging this movement, and the department of agriculture calls attention to the fact that in the southern states are found exceptionally favorable conditions for this profitable industry. California, too, it is thoughL could produce the essential oil, or attar of roses on an extensive scale to great advantage. According to official authority an acre of ground will produce 1,500 pounds of rose petals, from which flve ounces of the attar may be distilled, and this quantity is worth on the market $46 to SB6. The rose water which remains amounts to 800 gallons to the acre, which is w<#th from 76 cents to $1 a gallon. Lavender giyes a net profit of SIOO to the acre. Pure lard saturated with the scene of flowers—pomade—is worth $6 to $7.60 a pound. Cologne of the finest quality, obtained by soaking the pomade or saturated lard in alcohol, is worth all the way up to sl7 a pint. Other perfumes are equally profitable.—Memphis Commercial Appeal.