— 66 — 



oils distilled from the last-named material are consequently richer in 

 terpenes, whilst in the other oil more oxygenated constituents are 

 present. This may sufficiently explain the difference obtained. 



On this occasion we would mention that we sometimes receive 

 complaints from the United Kingdom on account of too high specific 

 gravities of our oils of nutmeg, which in consequence do not answer 

 the requirements of the British Pharmacopoeia. The B. P. gives as 

 limits of the specific gravity 0,870 to 0,910 (15,5°), and thereby, — as 

 on many other points relating to essential oils — takes no account of 

 the actual facts; it really excludes from medicinal use the oils produced 

 from the best nutmeg. A radical elimination of such contradictions 

 which unfortunately do not stand alone, is greatly to be desired. 



A long treatise by Gillavry 1 ) deals with the cultivation of the 

 nutmeg trees in Djati Roengge (Java). When the author in 1876 

 came to Djati Roengge, he only found a 45 year old plantation of 

 180 nutmeg trees, which to-day are still in existence and bear fruit. 

 In the following year 5000 Banda nuts were planted, and the plants 

 obtained from these seeds transplanted only in 1879, when they were 

 about 18 inches high and possessed a sufficiently developed root-system. 

 Of this seed about 3000 plants flourished well, and about 5o°/ 

 carried male blossoms. 



With the view of extending this cultivation, Gillavry started in 

 1886 a nursery in which the fruit of the best trees of the old planta- 

 tion was planted out. Although the fruit was small, it was used with 

 advantage, as only 35°/o ma ^ e trees were produced from it. 



The seed rapidly loses its germinating power, and it is therefore 

 necessary to plant it soon; boxes with moist sand are used for trans- 

 port. A month after sowing out the seed germinates, producing in 

 the first instance a tap-root without ramifications. The young plants 

 must not be taken up until after 18 months, and then only together 

 with a sufficiently large lump of soil. If no favourable site is available 

 for such cultivation, it is advisable to arrange the seed beds in plaited 

 baskets. The plants should grow in a shady place until the trees 

 have developed a sufficient number of branches to shade the soil 

 themselves. 



The nutmeg tree is cultivated successfully at altitudes of from 

 750 to 2000 feet. 



The preparation of the crop is very simple. The fruit-pods and 

 mace are removed from the seed, washed in salt water, and dried as 

 quickly as possibly in the sun or in a drying cupboard. The nuts 



x ) Revue des cultures coloniales 14 (1904), 342. 



