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Caraway Seed

Nutmegs and Mace.

The nutmeg tree is a native of the Molluccas, but the principal nutmeg gardens of the world are the Banda or Spice Islands. The nutmeg tree, like the orange and many others, yields two distinct odorous substances, that is, oil of mace, and oil of nutmeg. The oil of nutmeg is a beautiful white and transparent fluid, having an intense fragrance of the nut, from which it is easily procured by distillation. By expression, the nutmeg will also yield an unctuous fat oil of an agreeable color. Two pounds of nutmegs will yield about 3 or 4 ounces of oil. Mace is procured from the nutmeg-tree; thus, the nutmegs are enclosed in four different covers, the first is a thick husk, something like that of our walnuts, but larger; under this lies a thin reddish coat, which is the mace of commerce; the mace wraps up the shell and opens like a net work. The odor of mace only resembles that of nutmeg in being spicy; it cannot, however, be mistaken for the smell of nutmeg. The oil of mace, like that of nutmeg, is readily procured by distillation. Two pounds of mace yields about 3 oz. of oil. The oil of nutmeg is used in combination with a number of other odors to give a flavor to London cordial gin. It is also used for other purposes that will be made known in different parts of this work. The spirit of nutmeg is made by macerating 6 oz. of bruised nutmegs for six days and is used in " Recipe No. 10."

Caraway Seed.

The caraway plant is a native of Europe, and has been introduced into this country. The properties of caraway depend upon an essential oil. This odoriferous principle is drawn by distillation from the seeds of the plant. It