Photograph from Dr. Inazo Nitobe 



BUSY SCENES IN FORMOSA 



"After the Japanese-Chinese War, Japan obtained control of the Formosa camphor in- 

 dustry. Although the Formosa forests are practically inexhaustible, forestry measures were 

 instituted for the replanting and care of trees" (see text, page 236). 



the Arlington drug gardens, located near 

 Washington, D. C, conducted by the 

 United States Department of Agriculture 

 for the experimental cultivation of me- 

 dicinal plants, have been more than a suc- 

 cessful experiment and it did not require 

 the war to make their utility apparent. 



OPIUM AND THE BLOCKADE 



It will be noted in scanning the quota- 

 tions that products to which England has 

 direct sea access have had a definite but 

 not spectacular increase in price. Opium 

 increased in price very gradually from 

 $9.05 in July, 1 91 4, for crude gum, to 

 S35. 00 per pound today. In the case of 

 opium adequate production and well or- 

 ganized distribution came into play to sta- 

 bilize the market. But storehouse stocks 

 for medicinal purposes were gradually 

 exhausted and the war shifted to opium 

 producing countries, depleted their man 

 power, and finally threatened the trade 

 routes. 



The ring about the Central Empires 

 .-< K >n included Constantinople — probably 



the largest single exporting center for the 

 poppy juice. Moreover, Turkish, or, as 

 it is known, Constantinople opium, has 

 always been considered the highest grade 

 obtainable for medicinal use. Persian 

 opium probably ranks next in importance, 

 though both the Indian and the Persian 

 products are now largely used in the 

 manufacture of morphine. China's im- 

 mense crop was, until recent times, con- 

 sumed within the empire, while Egyptian 

 opium was exported to English chemical 

 houses to some extent. Even Bulgaria 

 produces some opium, and it is found in 

 most of the various ports in Asia Minor. 

 But Turkey dominates the European sup- 

 ply of high-grade gum. 



Now, the failure of crops, the shortage 

 of ships, the tightening of the blockade, 

 and the disorganization of trade arrange- 

 ments is having the inevitable result. 

 Opium in February, last, had jumped to 

 $19.05 per pound, and today it is $35 per 

 pound, as compared with $8.05 in 191 3 

 and $11.05 i n I 9 I 5- Only limited quanti- 

 ties are sold to each dealer even at this 



234 



