120 THE ALUMNI JOURNAL 



recently went through India and placed orders for tons of this soap, 

 which, I understand, is giving good satisfaction. While on this subject 

 it is proper to say that the most eminent physicians in Calcutta ascribe 

 several forms of aggravating skin diseases to the effect of the irritat- 

 ing quality of the water used for ablution purposes. This fact has 

 created a demand for certain soaps of American manufacturers that 

 possess healing qualities. But none of these soaps quite measure up 

 to the requirements. A study of the problem by a soap chemist, act- 

 ing in conjunction with a physician of repute who understands the 

 disease caused by the water, should be able to produce a soap that 

 would find extensive sale in India when brought effectively to the 

 attention of consumers. 



CUMMIN SEED. 

 Superior Quality of Malta's Product. 



Consul John 11. Grant, of Valetta, reports that Malta raises a 

 very fine grade of cummin seed, for which those islands have been 

 noted for many years. He writes : 



As far back as 1745 a noted French writer upon .agricultural 

 topics referred to Malta as being an exporter of one of the best grades 

 of cummin seed known. At the present day the seed is raised solely 

 for exportation, not being in demand for local use. Much of it is con- 

 sumed in Germany, France and England. Two-thirds of the quantity 

 exported goes to Germany. Occasionally fair-sized orders are filled 

 here for the United States, being obtained through German houses. 

 The principal grade exported is that known as the clean seed, which 

 seems to s'we so much satisfaction that it is constantly in demand. 

 American houses using cummin seed might deal to better advantage 

 if business were done directly with the Maltese merchants. The past 

 season Morocco has not produced either in grade or quantity any- 

 where near its normal amount of cummin seed. As prices in that 

 market for this article are high, purchasers must, at least for the 

 present, look elsewhere for their supplies. On the other hand, the 

 Malta crop is above normal conditions, and farmers are about to take 

 advantage of the decrease elsewhere by planting larger crops for the 

 coming season. It is said that the price per cantara (175 pounds) in 

 the market of Morocco at present is $34-o6. The price is much less 

 in Malta. 



