— 27 — 



reports that, according to the returns of the Chinese Maritime Customs 

 the output of camphor in China reached the following figures: 



1907: 27198 piculs, value 2168047 Haekwan Taels 1 ) 

 1908: 15246 „ „ 1005297 



of this quantity there were exported either direct or under transhipment 

 at Hong-Kong 



1907: 25798 piculs, value 2077475 H. T. 



1908: 13072 „ „ 850135 „ 



The figures for 1909 are not availabe, but from the known export figures 

 of certain ports a further decrease may be foretold. The average export 

 prices declared at the Maritime Customs Offices are: 1907: 80,56 H. T., 

 1908: 65,04 H. T. per picul; the value declared at Shanghai and Kinkiang 

 for 1909 was 75,23 H. T. 



As regards the cultivation of camphor in general, the report states 

 that trustworthy information concerning its extent, and the lowest prices 

 at which camphor can be produced without loss, is wanting. Nor has 

 anything become known with respect to systematic planting of trees, the 

 less so, because the prices realised in 1909 would give little inducement 

 for such cultivation. Travellers say that, large batches of camphor trees 

 still exist in the interior, and remain unexploited so far, because the natives 

 there are not yet familiar with the industry of camphor-production. It is 

 to be expected that if the price of camphor in the world's markets were 

 once more to advance, large quantities of the Chinese drug would again 

 make their appearance, and the example of other Chinese raw products 

 shows that in such a case a regular and systematic cultivation and ex- 

 ploitation of camphor might possibly spring into being. In the course of 

 the present year the shipments from Shanghai, as compared with the 

 monthly average for 1909, show an increase; the average values are given 

 at 54 to 58 H. T. per lb., but recently the Chinese have been standing out 

 for higher prices, and it is said that these will probably be conceded to 

 them in London and New York. 



V. Lommel 2 ), in a voluminous article, gives particulars regarding the 

 production of camphor in Amani 3 ), German East Africa, which should 

 interest not only the planter and producer, but will also give to those not 



a ) 1 Picul = 60,453 kilos. 1 Haekwan Tael = (1907) 3,33 & #; (1908) 2,74 dft (average). 



2 ) Der Pflanzer 6 (1910), 86. 



3 ) Comp. Reports October 1906, 20; April 1907, 22; April 1908, 25, 176; November 1908, 34. 



