Where Lavender Is Grown.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 41, 20 March 1930, Page 9

Where Lavender Is Grown.

Lavender flourishes best on a dry calcareous or limy soil, in an open sunny position, and repays good cultivation, the percentage of oil being increased when the soil is well manured.

In t2iis country Lavender is grown on a commercial basis in several widely distant areas, in the South of England, the East, and the North. In rthe South of England large areas are devoted to Lavender growing in Surrey. At one time' Miteham was; famous for its Lavender fields, but in recent years tlie industry h&s been removed to Wallington and Carshalton, and even now no Lavender is grown there. In 1920 no more than 10 acres were devoted .to Lavender growing at Miteham. Oil is distilled there, however, and known as "Miteham Lavender Oil."

In Kent Lavender is" grown commercially near Canterbury. The Eastern Counties can claim two areas for Lavender growing, one at Long Melford, in Suffolk, and another at Elsen&am, in Essex, where Lavender was gTown by the late Sir Walter Gilbey and distilled on the spot. The Lavender oil from these crops amounts to 41b per 6 ewt of flowers, in a good season 141b of oil being derived from 3,7201b of flowers. A 4ilb bottle of oil is worth *8.

There are also fields of Lavender grown at _Hrtchiri, in Herts., "and also Peppermint Opium Poppy, Bella Donna, Henbane, etc. ■•-.-

In Lincolnshire Lavender fields may be seen in the Fen areas at Market

Deeping between Stamford and Crowland.

Lavender growlag is a profitable industry and much of the chalk soils that are too shallow fox growing crops would grow Lavender well. Quaint Customs and Usages Associated.