and health. The opening portion of the book sets the stage for a comprehensive guide on the art of perfumery, beginning with insights into the oft-underappreciated sense of smell and its historical significance. Piesse emphasizes that, unlike the other senses, smelling has been relatively neglected, which has led to a widespread disconnection from its benefits for well-being. He discusses the evolution of perfumery, tracing its roots back to ancient cultures and religious practices, and introduces the various methods for extracting scents from plants, such as distillation and maceration. Additionally, he hints at the commercial potential of cultivating flowers for their fragrances, which is a growing concern for British horticulturists, who could contribute significantly to this industry with proper education and resources. (This is an automatically generated summary.)