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
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25.63

SECOND YEAR. 
Rent of an acre of land one year 8.00
Cutting one acre of old mint 75
Curing and hauling to distillery 1.50
Distilling 14 lbs. oil, at 25 cents 3.50
Can for oil 25
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14.00

THIRD YEAR. 
Rent of an acre of land one year 8.00
Cutting, curing, &c. 2.25
Distilling 8 lbs. of oil, at 25 cents, and can 2.25
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12.50
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Total expenses for three years 52.13

Forty pounds of oil, at dollars 1.371/2 per pound 55.00
Deduct expenses 52.13
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Net profit 2.87

In the above estimate I have omitted the expense of roots, for the reason that the crop will yield as many as are required for planting.  The price of roots is about 50 cents per square rod, and if they are in demand, the profit of the crop will be greatly enhanced by selling them at that, or even a lower price.

It will be readily perceived that the culture of peppermint promises no great return