CHAP. XIV.Of the proper Season for Distilling.
Flowersof all Kinds must be distilled in their proper Seasons. To begin with the Violet. Its Colour and Smell can only be extracted when it is in its greatest Vigour, which is not at its first Appearance, nor when it begins to decay.Aprilis the Month in which it is in its greatest Perfection; the Season being never so forward inMarch, as to give the Violet its whole Fragrancy.
The same must be observed of all other Flowers. And let them be gathered at the hottest Time of the Day; the Odour andFragrancy of Flowers being then in their greatest Perfection.
The same Observation holds good, with regard to Fruits; to which must be added, that they are the finest, and of the most beautiful Colour, especially those from whence Tinctures are drawn; they must be free from all Defects, as the Goods would by that Means be greatly detrimented.
Berries and Aromatics may be distilled at any Season, all that is necessary being a good Choice. But in this Distillers are sometimes mistaken, as may easily happen without a very accurate Knowledge. We shall therefore, in the Sequel, lay down more particular Directions for making a proper Choice of Materials.