24 



The following quotation from the Market Report published 

 in the Chemist and Druggist for 23rd September last : — 



Good Madras finger has been sold at from 17s. to 17s 6d. 

 per cwt , being steady, and Cochin split bulbs are quoted at 

 from 7s. 6d. to 8s. per cwt., according to quantity. 



Dye. 



A special form of turmeric is grown for this purpose, 

 namely, a harder root, much richer in the dye principle than 

 in the ordinary condiment form. 



The colour is only deposited in the rhizomes with age, and 

 hence, in all probability, the above mentioned forms have been 

 obtained by a process of careful selection of stock observed to 

 produce the colour freely. It is of importance, however, that 

 the European merchant, in purchasing for dye purposes, should 

 see that he gets the hard dye-yielding form and not the softer 

 aromatic condition, which is used as a condiment. 



The rhizome is still largely used by the European dyers, 

 though the fluctuation in the trade may be viewed as due to 

 the development of the aniline industry. Professor Hummel 

 bays of it: — "Notwithstanding the very fugitive character of 

 the colour it yields it is much used, especially by the wool 

 and silk dyers for the production of compound shades — olives, 

 browns, &c. It gives a bright yellow colour without the aid of 

 a mordant, but when mordants are used with it, it yields other 

 colours not unlike those obtainable from the yellow dye-woods. 

 The colouring matter of turmeric is one of the few for which 

 cotton has naturally a strong attraction." 



Although turmeric is rich in colouring matter, its want 

 of permanence is a hindrance to its application as a dye- 

 material. 



Some time back the use of turmeric was almost exclusively 

 limited to printing and dying silks. It is now employed to a 

 vast extent in stuff-dying, forming an important constituent in 

 certain compound colours, especially the so-called " sour- 

 browns." 



Foods. 



Turmeric forms one of the indispensible ingredients in 

 curries, and is used for colouring confections, &c. 



Medicine. 



Turmeric contains about one per cent, of a volatile oil, to 

 which its odour is due, some starch, a yellow colouring matter 

 called curcumin, and other unimportant substances. The 



