er; a slow and tedious process, by which
about 12 or 15 pounds of oil could be separated in a day. But
recently steam, that powerful agent, which has wrought such immense
changes in our social and national economy, has been applied to this
subject with its usual attendant success. The present method
consists in the use of a common steam-boiler, of the capacity of
from 100 to 150 gallons, from which the steam is conveyed by
conductors into large wooden air-tight tubs, of 200 gallons
capacity, containing the dried herb; from which it is conveyed,
charged with the volatile principle of the plant, into a water-vat,
containing the condenser. The water collected at the extremity of
the condenser, although it does not readily commingle with the oil,
is highly tinctured with it, and is used to feed the boiler. Two
tubs are necessary, in order that when the "charge" is being worked
off in one, the other can be refilled. The oil is then to be
filtered, and is ready for market. The expense of a distillery is
estimated at 150 dollars, which, with the labor of two men, and a
cord of dry wood, will run 40 lbs. of oil per day. The usual price
for distilling is 25 cents per pound.

The cost of production is of course greatly modified by
circumstances. If grown on rich bottom lands, or prairie, unusually
free from weeds and grass, the labor required will be comparatively
trifling. From information derived from the principal mint growers
in this vicinity, I have prepared the following estimate of the cost
of production of an acre of mint for three years:--

FIRST YEAR.
Dollars.
Rent of an acre of land one year 8.00
One day plough and drag, one hand and team 2.00
Half day furrowing, digging roots, one hand and horse 1.00
Three days planting, at 75 cents 2.25
Two days dressing with hoe, at 75 cents 1.50
Two days with cultivator and hoe, 1.00 2.00
Two days with cultivator and hoe (third dressing) 1.50
One and a-half days cutting new mint, at 75 cents 1.13
Curing and drawing to distillery 1.50
Distilling 18 lbs. oil, at 25 cents 4.50
Can for oil 25