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generally preferred to any other. We used root from Java as well as 

 from Reunion and from British India in our manufactures. The distillation 

 of vetiver oil in Reunion appears inclined to diminish. The shipments 

 between 1 st January and 31 st July this year amounted to 506 kilos, of 

 a value of fr. 13469, as compared with 741 kilos, value fr. 15855, in 

 the same period of 1909. Business in the article was very quiet, but the 

 producers decline to meet the buyers in the prices, because if they did 

 so manufacturing would no longer be remunerative. 



Wintergreen Oil. The prices of pure oil from Betula lenta have 

 remained unchanged, and the producing districts have yielded plentiful 

 quantities. Our New York branch is very particular in selecting its 

 purchases, and has been compelled to reject several parcels owing to 

 their unpleasant acrid odour, which was due to carelessness in the 

 selection of distilling material. Oil from G-aultheria procumbens, which is 

 consumed exclusively in America, costs at present $ 4,40 per lb. 



As may be generally known, the German Imperial Authorities intend to 

 abolish altogether the use of rosemary oil and Ceylon citronella oil as de- 

 naturing agents for fatty oils, and on trial, terpineol, safrol and synthetic 

 wintergreen oil (methyl salicylate) have been introduced as substitutes for 

 the former denaturing substances. For all three of the last-named sub- 

 stances the quantity to be added is 200 g. for every 100 kilos (gross) of 

 oil. The following test for the purity of wintergreen oil is laid down: 

 "faintly yellow liquid possessing the odour of the plant from which it takes 

 its name: b. p. about 222° (760 mm.), di 5 o 1,185 to 1,190, sap. no. not less 

 than 361, soluble in 6 times its vol. of 70% alcohol". 



In order to avoid misunderstandings and useless correspondence we 

 desire to point out that pure synthetic wintergreen oil is at first colourless, 

 and only turns yellowish with age. From 6 to 8 vols, of 70°/o alcohol are 

 required to give a solution; the proportion prescribed by the Authorities 

 gives a clear solution only in exceptional cases. 



Wormseed Oil. Owing to its exceptional efficacy as a remedy for 

 ascaridce the American variety (Ol. chenopodii anthelminthici) is constantly 

 acquiring more importance in the European market, and during the past 

 few months it has been in regular demand. Our New York branch informs 

 us that the crop prospects in Maryland, where the oil is produced, are 

 not favourable this year, and that an early advance in prices is likely. 

 Levantine wormseed oil (Ol. cince) has not been offered at all, nor were 

 we able to distil any ourselves, because the high value of the raw material, 

 which has been brought about by the establishment of a monopoly in 

 wormseed in the Caucasus, renders it out of the question to use this 

 seed in our industry. 



