276 



Extract from Semi-annual Report of Schimmel & Co., April- 

 May, 1903. 

 Citronella Oil, Ceylon. — The prices of this important article 

 reached their lowest position in October last year at about ^d. per lb. 

 The distillation was then completely suspended on account of continu- 

 ous rainfall in the citronella districts, and this led to a rise in the 

 prices up to 9f d. This last figure represents approximately the present 

 market value. The quotations had to be raised proportionately. 



The exports from Oeylon huve slightly receded in 1902. They 

 were : 



In 1902 ... 1,294,750 lbs 



against " 1901 ... 1,430,168 " 



" 1900 ... 1,409,050 " 



'* 1899 ... 1,478,756 " 



" 1898 ... 1,365,917 " 



" 1897 ... 1,182,867 " 



The figures for the various countries were as follows : — 



to the United Kingdom 556,096 lbs 



" America ... 538,970 " 



Germany ... 146,518 



Australia ... 26,408 



China ... 17,115 



France ... 2,376 



Singapore ... 1,867 



India ... 5,400 



K 

 (( 

 (( 

 (( 



Total 1,294,750 



The low value of the article has lately, unfortunately, again led 

 to numerous and very peculiar adulterations, such as have never been 

 observed before. 



A sample of citronella oil which takes about an intermediate place 

 between Ceylon and Java citronella oils, was received by us some time 

 ago from the Government Laboratory in Jamaica. We found for this 

 oil: d 0,8947, a 4° 16,' and n 147,098- It also showed a 



15°_ D— D20° 



low acid number, and contained 86 '4 per cent, total C H with 



10 18° 

 a citronella-content of 25,43 per cent. 



In a note appearing in the " Tropenflanzer"* we find that in the 

 Botanical Garden at Victoria in the Cameroons, under the name 

 Andropogon citratus, a species of grass in cultivated, which, according 

 to an examination by Strunk, yields an oil which is seemingly identical 



* Vol. 7 (1903), 37. 



