— 28 — 



Such proceedings could not fail to become known or to attract 

 observation in Messina, and the Manufacturers' Union found therein a 

 desired opportunity to promote its own interests, by manipulating the 

 supplies in the most skilful manner. The Union which — as already 

 mentioned — was also greatly favoured by the weather-conditions, 

 succeeded in keeping the market in hand, and controlling it according 

 to its own views, so that the article under these conditions has slowly 

 but continuously advanced from 4,75 to 5,80 marks, and has maintained 

 itself at that level. 



The conditions affecting the production, which come under con- 

 sideration, now appear as follows: — 



The quantity of lemons available for manufacture may be more 

 or less equal to that of the previous year, but it appears questionable 

 whether the quantity of oil produced from it will meet with the 

 world's consumption. It is a fact that the approximately equal 

 quantity derived from the crop of the winter of 1904/05 has not 

 satisfied the demand, for the latter has used up during last year not 

 only the entire new production of oil, but also the stocks of old oil 

 still on hand in November 1904 both here and abroad. Although 

 it may on the other hand be assumed that the high prices will bring 

 about a reduction in the consumption of lemon oil, this would only 

 dispose of the argument of prices higher than the present ones, whilst 

 a drop in the prices before the appearance of the new harvest in 

 November is not probable. 



Two hitherto uncertain factors in these suppositions are, on the 

 one hand the steps which the manufacturers may take in the future, 

 and on the other, the prospects of the coming harvest. The former 

 will constantly endeavour to push up the prices of the article, the 

 latter may be in a greater or lesser degree favourable towards such 

 endeavours, or they may thwart them. 



With regard to the prospects of the harvest of the current year, 

 it is at this moment impossible even to express any conjectures. The 

 unusually large quantity of rain which has fallen during the last three 

 months and the quiet atmospheric conditions have supplied an abundance 

 of strength to the trees and prevented the excessive dropping of the 

 leaves; it is therefore probable that all citrus species will blossom very 

 abundantly. But the formation and development of the young fruit 

 will depend entirely upon the weather prevailing in April, May and June. 



Mandarin Oil. The mandarin - tree is the only one of our 

 citrus species which has given a full crop' in the harvest period. The 

 fruit was very fine, well developed, and of excellent keeping qualities, 

 that is to say exceedingly suitable for export. This has largely inter- 

 fered with the manufacture of oil, and although occasionally favourable 

 opportunities for purchase have offered themselves in this article when 



