Organisation and Prices
Clearly herb-collecting is a case for communal organisation. Women's Institute branches are obviously just the thing; schools under efficient guidance, could do a great deal. And since the ideal drying place would be a hop-kiln or oast-house it looks as if the south country, with its earlier season, ought to be the largest centre of activity. I have no idea how many commercial herb-farms there are in the country. Miss Armstrong and Miss Keen are at Vales- wood Herb Farm, and there is a well-known herb farm at Seal, near Sevenoaks. Visits to these farms, and others, would obviously save many trials and tears. In addition, centres of organisation are, I believe, already working in many counties. Finally, more prices: belladonna-leaves 225s. per cwt., rosemary-leaves 56s. per cwt., lime-tree flowers r 12s. per cwt., mint leaves r 525. per cwt., elder- berries 56s. per cwt., couch-grass root (yes, indeed!) 56s. per cwt. These are the prices offered for herbs carriage paid to Messrs. Brown and Schimmer in cases where collectors cannot co-operate with County Central Collecting Depots of the Women's Institutes. The peak season for collecting is June to September.