Chemistry of Essential Oils

514 THE CHEMISTEY OF ESSENTIAL OILS

tillation lasted from August to the following February. Of the provinces,

where the ylang-ylang tree is also found, the oil is distilled in the

Camarines, Mindoro, and Albay; the tree also grows in Bohol, but the

distillation has not yet been introduced there. The oil produced in the

provinces is generally considered in Manila as inferior, but this can only

be attributed to the primitive method of production. In most cases the

flowers are quite as good as those of the district round Manila, and a few

Manila houses also distil in the provinces an oil for which they obtain

FIG. 51—Ylang-Ylang (Malabon near Manila).
[Roure-Bertrand Fils.
just the same high prices as for their other make. There can be no
doubt that the installation of scientific distillation methods would bring
about a powerful advancement of the ylang-ylang oil industry in the
provinces.
' - r" A igood deal of mystery is made of the distillation of ylang-ylang oil
in Manila, and it is said that the manufacturers possess valuable trade
secrets. Bacon, who has visited several plants, and has himself carried
out distillation experiments, does not believe that there are any trade
secrets, although it is clear that not every one can distil first-class oil.
But with a little experience in the distillation of essential oils it will, in