DRIED LAVENDER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 December 1928, Page 2

DRIED LAVENDER.

Lavender, rose-leaves, sweet verbena, and other similar material saved for its sweetness should be dried gradually, and never exposed to the direct rays of the sun (says an exchange). If it is, much of the aroma will be lost at once. The flowers or leaves should be placed between two or three thicknesses of newspaper, and then laid in the sun—not forgetting to put a stone or two on the paper to keep everything from being blown away. Seeds saved for sowing are all the better for drying in the sun. They should be gathered directly there is any sign of the pods bursting and placed in bags made of muslin or very thin but strong paper. Seed vessels still attached to stalks should be placed in the bags head foremost, the stalks sticking out at the necks of the bags, which are then securely tied. When the seed is sufficiently ripened it can be shaken out into the bag, without untying the latter, and stored in a dry place just as it is, or taken out and placed in match-boxes until it is wanted. Be careful when gathering seed to choose a fine dry day and to label each bag with the name of the contents or the particular variety.