— 52 — 



ation 86,2; soluble in 6,5 vol. 80 per cent, alcohol, with separation 

 of paraffin. 



3. Oil from the dry roots of Pastinaca sativa L. : The bright 

 yellowish oil, which in the odour reminded somewhat of vetiver oil, 

 was obtained in a yield of 0,35 °/ , and had the following properties: 

 di 5 o 1,0765; «d— o° 10'; n D20 o 1,52502; acid no. 3,9; ester no. 12,6; 

 ester no. after acetylation 33,7; not completely soluble in 10 vol. 

 80 per cent, alcohol; soluble in 0,6 and more vol. 90 per cent, alcohol. 



Patchouli Oil. During the last few months we were able to 

 reduce still further the prices of this article, indispensable for the 

 perfumery trade, but it appears that now a certain stability has been 

 reached, and we do not believe in a further decline. There is little 

 raw material on offer at present. The cheap Indian distillate can of 

 course not compete in quality with our oil, the production of which 

 is one of our particular specialties. 



Oil of European Pennyroyal, There is a great scarcity in 

 this oil, as the harvest in Spain is a complete failure. Algeria also 

 supplies very little this year, and it will be necessary to consider the 

 question of adopting a substitute wherever possible. The American oil 

 is at present quoted at $ 2,25 per lb., which is probably too high for 

 most purposes. 



Peppermint Oil, American. A report from our New York 

 branch, drawn up on the spot as previously in every year and, in view of 

 the many existing contradictory communications made for special pur- 

 poses, possessing particular value, describes the situation as follows: — 



I. Wayne County, New York. 



Owing to the moderate fall of snow and the severe cold during 

 last winter, a large proportion of the peppermint roots was destroyed, 

 and the plants not affected by the frost have grown but sparingly. 

 Although in some districts an increase in the area cultivated with 

 peppermint was at first reported, the total result will fall far short of 

 that of last year, as in several districts, as for example Sodus, Marion, 

 and Palmyra, very little has been newly planted, and the oil-yield is 

 also said to be lower. Whereas in former years the yield from newly 

 planted peppermint amounted to 40 to 60 lbs. per acre, the expectat- 

 ions this year are only 20 to 30 lbs. Older plants produce only 

 7 to 10 lbs. 



In order to allow as much time as possible for the development 

 of the plants, the distillation has been postponed 3 to 4 weeks, and 

 as the weather during that time was favourable, the producers will 

 not regret of having taken this step. 



