— 54 — 



the land under cultivation is larger than last year, there is no three- 

 year old peppermint, and that of two years old is in a very bad con- 

 dition. What was planted out this year has suffered considerably from 

 the continuous frosts during the spring, so that the fields had to be 

 cut back several times. In most districts the damage is estimated at 

 about 5o°/ , and it is believed that not more than about half the 1905 

 harvest may be expected. 



In Indiana the state of affairs is not any more favourable, as 

 about half the new plantations have been destroyed by frost. Altogether 

 1 149 acres are under cultivation in that State, of which 169 acres 

 were laid out this year. 



The total result of the American peppermint oil production in 

 1906 is therefore estimated as follows: — 



Wayne County (incl. remainder of 1905) about 17800 lbs. 



Michigan „ 92000 „ 



Indiana „ 12500 „ 



Total about 122300 lbs. 

 against about 240000 lbs. last year. 



This, according to the information collected by our representative, 

 was the position about the end of July, and it is not surprising that 

 on the strength of these particulars the tendency had to be charac- 

 terised as very firm. 



Now we have recently been informed that the oil-yield in Wayne 

 County comes out more favourably than was originally anticipated, 

 and that consequently more oil may be expected from there; in the 

 other districts the situation appears also to have been considered from a 

 too pessimistic point of view, and the belief has recently been expressed 

 than an estimate of a total result of 175000 to 200000 lbs. will 

 more closely agree with the facts. The firm tendency has as a 

 consequence given way to a certain dullness which is also reflected 

 on the European markets. 



The producers themselves do not appear to have much faith in 

 remunerative prices, for they have considered it an opportune moment 

 to form an organisation for maintaining the prices, whose purposes 

 are evident from a circular reading as follows: — 



"As all classes, except farmers, are organized for protection, we believe 

 all branches of farmers should be, and inasmuch as the organization known as 

 the American Society of Equity proves to be successful, we, Essential Oil 

 Growers organize in this Society and submit the following for your approval. 

 Name of Society: The American Society of Equity. Essential Oil De- 

 partment. 



We, Essential Oil Growers join ourselves together for the purpose of 

 securing profitable prices for our product, and protection. 



That we advise an acreage and crop report from all Mint Growing Districts, 

 by reliable reporters in this society, mode of selection of reporters and kind of 

 report to be determined. Also officers and duties to be designated. 





