— 18 — 



Oil of Agathis (Dammara) robusta, C. Moore. 1 ) This conifer, 

 known as "Queensland Kauri" or "Dandathu Pine", which occurs on the 

 coast of Queensland, yields a resin from which 11,64% of essential oil 

 was recovered. The constants of the oil were as follows: d-™§ 0,8629, 

 a D -(- 20,2°, n D16 o 1,4766. Upon fractionation scarcely anything was obtained 

 except d-a-pinene (nitrosochloride m. p. 108°; nitrolbenzylamine, m. p. 123 

 to 124°). The oil is practically identical with American turpentine oil, 

 and may therefore be regarded as an excellent commercial product. 



Almond Oil, pressed, from Almonds (German Pharmacopoeia V), 

 The high prices of almonds have been maintained with slight fluctuations 

 throughout the winter months, and we have therefore been unable to 

 carry out the desired reduction of our quotations for sweet alrnond oil. 

 The really astounding demand for our product shows sufficiently that 

 in respect of quality it enjoys the highest repute, and our increasing 

 turnover clearly proves that the unfair competition which formerly made 

 itself so unpleasantly felt in the article may be regarded as overcome. 

 At present it is still impossible to forecast the course of the prices within 

 the near future , as detailed information concerning the approaching 

 blossoming of the almond trees in Apulia and Sicily is still wanting. 



Almond Oil, pressed, from Apricot kernels. Unfortunately no accurate 

 information is available concerning last year's production of apricot kernels 

 in Syria, but we are advised that the result of the crop has been below 

 the average and may be estimated at about 3500 bags. Italy and France 

 were the principal buyers, Germany only having received small supplies. 

 As already previously stated by us, the manufacturers of pressed oil in 

 Germany have chiefly turned their attention to Japanese and Chinese 

 kernels, of which a sufficient quantity has been available in good quality 

 at prices about 10°/o lower than those of the Syrian kind. The 

 latter has been quoted at c4i 67. — to c4i 68.50 cif. Hamburg, whereas 

 the varieties from Eastern Asia were procurable at prices ranging from 

 ott 60. — to c4i 62.50, and as the attitude of the Syrian producers was 

 firm throughout, it is not to be surprised that both for distilling and for 

 the manufacture of the pressed oil we have last season exclusively utilised 

 the kernels from Eastern Asia. The present quotation of Syrian kernels 

 is cJt 72. — per 100 kilos, and the result has been that the competing 

 article has also advanced. Large transactions, however, have not been 

 recorded lately, as we had covered our requirements at advantageous 

 prices in good time. We have therefore been able to maintain unchanged 

 our low quotations for pressed oil from apricot kernels, although as a matter 

 of fact the present market value of the raw material would warrant higher 

 rates. How great has been the extension of this branch of manufacture 



x ) Baker and Smith, A ResearcJi on the Pines of Australia, Sydney 1910, p. 376. Also 

 comp. the present Report, p. 148. 



