Valuable Plants Of Fij

Perfumes and Essentia! Oils

By H. B. R. Parham

A MOST attractive shrub may be found in the immediate vicinity of many of the old native Koros, especially in Vanua Levu, and one soon learns that its local name is the Tiali.

The Fijian women love to put the frag rant white blossoms coquettishly over their ears, and in their dark fuzzy locks.

The beautiful flowers look like white stars.

The Tiali is a species of Gardenia, and belongs to the Rubiaceae. All Gardenias are characterised by the sweet, heavy perfume of their flowers, and as this native variety grows so easily in Fiji, it might surely under expert cultivation be laid under contribution for perfumery.

A clever maker of dainty essences should find it worthy of consideration.

The natives, of course, have long used the oil from the Tiali to perfume their coconut oil, but that is rather too crude a medium for so delicate a scent—unless indeed the oil itself is subjected to speci al and careful refining. Lucca Oil—in other words, good olive oil —would prove more suitable for the use of an amateur perfume maker.

The Uci or Sacasaca (Evodia hortcn sis) is also remarkable for the odour ex haled by its blossoms. Uci. of course, belongs to the Rutaccac . in common with citrus fruits.

The smell of the blossoms of the Uci is very penetrating and does not appeal altogether to European taste. Still, the very fact that it is abiding, and not evanescent, as is too often the case, should be a valuable asset in the com pounding of scents. There are certainly markets, too, for these less delicate per fumes.

The Kai Viti are passionately fond of the plant, and weave the racemed flowers into salus (garlands), when and where ever they can find them. They use it also to scent the coconut oil which they use on their own persons. It is quite possible that there might be a vogue for it, if well prepared, even among white people, since there are as many fancies to be catered for in perfumery as in confec tionery. Novelty in many quarters is of the greatest importance.

In some circles it is considered “chic” to be fortunate enough to find and ex ploit something that is out of the way. some style or perfume to proclaim indi viduality. Certainly to introduce the Uci would be something to be proud of. for it is an honour of a high kind to bring a new perfume into notice, and might even bring some more tangible emolu ment in its wake.

Among other valuable perfume pro ducing plants we must not forget to

stress the claims of various species of the citrus family, as both the base of pleasant scents and of essential oils.

Both orange and lemon peels, or outer skins, are rich in these essential oils.

Rightly handled they may become of ever-increasing commercial value on many a lonely plantation, and so prove contributing factors in the building-up of a comfortable income for the initiated and industrious owner. Not only are the peels of oranges valuable as oil-produc ers, but the flowers can also be made

into an oil of value, known in the trade as Oleum Neroli.

The oil produced from citrus is of great importance, for it also has a thera peutic value. As a perfume, it is • the basis of the justly famous Citronella, which is found so useful by those who are subjected to the attacks of that pest of humid places in hot countries the tormenting mosquito. Citronella is in great repute as a chaser of this übiqui tous disturber of rest.

It is possible that Fiji planters have

not as yet cultivated Bergamot oranges to any extent, but they would surely grow In these islands, and oleum Ber gamotae might regain its old repute.

The latter was always on the dressing table of ladies who knew good things a hundred or two hundred years ago. It was used in cases of fever, to soothe the sufferer and sweeten the air of the sick room.

According to Baird, an old authority on these subjects, the Bergamot orange is “a species of the genus Citrus, and is often called by scientists the C. hegamia.

It has a pear-shaped fruit of fine taste and odour. From its rind an essential oil is extracted, which is much prized as a perfume.”

It has often been asserted that the orange family comes next to that of the grape-vine. On more careful considera tion the various species of orange (Citrus aurantium ) seem to hold the pride of place, if regarded impartially in the light of deciding as to which fruit is really the more beneficial to mankind. Oranges are not only consumed as a delicious fruit, with an almost universal market, but Citrus aurantium has been used in medi cine extensively, both per se and as a basis for other drugs.

Lime juice is too well and favourably known to call for diffuse recommenda tion. The lime (Citrus acida ) grows well and fruits freely in many parts of Fiji.

So useful is the juice in medicine that the tree Is often known by the name of Citrus medica. It is also laid under tribute for art requirements. As an anti scorbutic drink, lime juice has long been part of the equipment for a long sea voyage. Refreshing and wholesome, it is always sure to be welcomed as a pleasant beverage.

Nitrogenous soil is best for both orange and lime trees, and where the ground is deficient in nitrogen it is necessary to supply the lack artificially. A certain amount of mulching has been found pro fitable, especially the detritus from the “press” (when the fruit has been used to extract the juice).

When the advantages are considered of lessening the freight charges, by manufacturing essences on the plantation it will surely be apparent that it is more profitable to export juice than fruit. Fruit spoils in transit, but the juice, in con tainers, does not share this danger. (To he continued.) '