MIXOR PRODUCTS OF CEYLOX 511 



30,000 acres are under the product. The grass is readily propa- 

 gated by root division (seed being rarely produced), and may be 

 planted about 2 by 3 ft. apart, in rows. Permanent shade is 

 unnecessary, and the mode of cultivation is very simple, weeding 

 being the chief requirement. It is recommended to replant the 

 grass about every live years. The clumps are ready for cutting in 

 about eight months from time of planting. Two cuttings a year may 

 be obtained, and about 40 Ib. of marketable oil per acre is estimated 

 to be an average annual yield. The oil has a strong aromatic 

 odour, and is exported for use in scented soaps, perfumery, etc. ; 

 it is also an excellent preventive against mosquitoes and leech bites. 

 Owing, however, to overproduction and the fall in the price of the 

 oil (the present price being about Is. per Ib.), this industry has 

 considerably declined in recent years. The export of oil from 

 Ceylon in 1912 was about 1^ million pounds, valued at "79,500. 



\'ARIETIES. In Ceylon there are two varieties cultivated, " Maha-pangiri " 

 or " Winter's Grass" and " Lenabatu-pangiri ; " the former, with broader leaves, 

 is considered to give the larger yield and better quality of oil. A distinct variety 

 with broad drooping leaves, introduced by BAMBER from Java, is known at Pera- 

 deniya as "Java Mahapangiri." 



Lemon Grass; "Seyra," S. (Cymbopogon (Atuiropogon) citratus). 

 A grass resembling the former kind, cultivated for the production of 

 Lemon-grass oil. The latter commands a higher price than 

 Citronella oil, but the demand for it is limited. The plant may be 

 grown successfully up to about 2,000 ft., and has given an annual 

 yield of 20 Ib. refined oil per acre at the Peradeniya Experiment 

 Station (1,600 ft.). Propagation is by division of mature clumps, 

 and general cultivation is the same as for Citronella grass. The 

 oil is used for scenting fine soaps, blending scents, and for similar 

 purposes. The yield varies with soil and climate; but usually, with 

 two crops a year, the return per acre is considered to amount to 

 about 5,000 bundles (each 6 in. diameter), capable of yielding at 

 least 100 quarts of oil. Refined lemon-grass oil sells in Europe for 

 at least 6d. per oz. As a quart contains forty fluid ounces, the 

 product of an acre should thus realize a value of 100. 



VARIETIES, Etc. C. flexuosus, known as Malabar or Cochin grass, fur- 

 nishes the Lemon-grass oil of Malabar, supposed to be superior to C. citratus. 

 See Oils. 



Coca, or Cocaine-plant. (Erythroxylon Coca. Linaceae). A 

 small shrub, 6 to 8 feet high, indigenous to Peru and Bolivia, being 

 found at elevations of 4,000 to 6,000 ft., introduced into Ceylon in 

 1870. It is extensively cultivated in its native habitat, where the 



