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The quantity offered at the first market at Sault was correspond- 

 ingly unimportant. Oils containing 33 to 35% ester were bought by 

 firms in the South of France at 18 francs. At the markets sub- 

 sequently held at Digne and Apt, oils with 4O°/ ester-content fetched 

 22 francs. The inclination to buy was exceptionally strong, — a fact 

 which unfortunately justifies the view that no stocks of any import- 

 ance are held by firms in the South of France. A definite review 

 of the whole situation is not yet possible, but so much is certain, 

 that the quantity produced falls far short of that of last year, and 

 that for the next twelve months very high prices will have to be 

 reckoned with. 



Lavender oil is one of the specialities of our firm. We have 

 arrangements for the most advantageous purchases, and we are kept 

 informed in the best possible manner of everything that passes at the 

 principal centres. 



Under the critical conditions described above, the adulteration of 

 lavender oil plays an important part, and there is every indication 

 that it will be carried on this year on an extensive scale. We learn 

 from a private source that at the places of production spike oil comes 

 chiefly under consideration as the adulterant, and further turpen- 

 tine oil and methylated spirits. Spike oil is either added to pure 

 lavender oil, or the adulteration already takes place in the still by 

 submitting a mixture of spike- and lavender-blossoms to distillation. 

 The latter occurs chiefly in the lower regions, where spike and 

 lavender grow side by side. In order to lessen the camphor-odour 

 due to the spike oil, the oils are still washed with water. But the 

 more skilled adulterators proceed in a decidedly more cunning manner. 

 They use for their "experiments" Spanish oil of sage, which can be 

 bought in France at a low price ; to this they give the requisite solubility 

 by adding spike oil, and the necessary aroma by a few drops amyl 

 acetate. 



According to the information from our authority, almost every 

 lavender oil which contains less than 33°/ ester is adulterated. There 

 are of course exceptions, but they are few ; for example, the oils from 

 the left bank of the Var are greatly valued by many purchasers, al- 

 though they contain only 28 to 3o°/ ester. These oils are characterised 

 by a very low specific gravity and a fairly high laevorotation, whilst 

 their solubility is normal. 



Our own experience absolutely agrees with the above information 

 relating to the adulteration of lavender oil ; we also have frequently 

 had an opportunity of observing that spike oil plays an important part 

 in this matter. Two lavender oils recently examined by us are also 

 interesting for this reason, that to all appearances petroleum, or a 

 petroleum -fraction, had also been used as an adulterant. The two 



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