The Art of Perfumery, and Methods of Obtaining the Odors of Plants

SMYTH'S LAVENDER. To produce a very fine distillate, take-- Otto of English Lavender, 4 oz. Rectified spirit (60 over proof), 5 pints. Rose-water, 1 pint. Mix and distil five pints for sale. Such essence of lavender is expensive, but at 10s. a pint of 14 oz! there is a margin for profit. It not being convenient to the general dealer to sell distilled lavender essence, the following form, by mixture, will produce a first-rate article, and nearly as white as the above. ESSENCE OF LAVENDER. Otto of lavender, 3-1/2 oz. Rectified spirit, 2 quarts. The perfumer's retail price for such quality is 8s. per pint of 14 oz. Many perfumers and druggists in making lavender water or essence, use a small portion of bergamot, with an idea of improving its quality--a very erroneous opinion; moreover, such lavender quickly discolors. LAVENDER WATER.--Take: English oil of lavender, 4 oz. Spirit, 3 quarts. Rose-water, 1 pint. Filter as above, and it is ready for sale. COMMON LAVENDER WATER.--Same form as the above, substituting French lavender for the British. Recipes for Rondeletia, Lavender Bouquet, and other lavender compounds, will be given when we come to speak of compound perfumes, which will be reserved until we have finished explaining the method of making the simple essences.