— 62 — 



pressure between 84 and 106 , had a distinct odour like geraniol, and 

 reacted with calcium chloride. The alcohol contained in it was purified 

 over the phthalic acid compound, then passed over between 90 and 94 

 (at 3,5 mm. pressure), and had the following constants: d 15 o 0,8856; 

 n D20° I ? 477 2 4- Oxidation with chromic acid yielded citral which 

 could by clearly recognized by the odour, whilst with diphenylcarbamine 

 chloride, geranyl diphenyl urethane crystallising in long, colourless needles 

 was obtained, which after recrystallisation from alcohol melted at 81, 8°. 



The kuromoji oil examined consequently contained, in addition to 

 cineol and terpenes, linalool and geraniol, the latter chiefly in the form 

 of its acetic ester. 



Why the composition of this oil should differ so completely from 

 that of the kuromoji oils previously examined we are unable to say 

 with certainty, but we suspect that it is due to the fact that the parts 

 of the plant used in the distillation were not the same. 



Lavender Oil. As already mentioned in our last Report 1 ), 

 especially the exceptional drought of last summer had a very injurious 

 effect on the lavender harvest, so that the prices of the oil reached 

 a height never dreamt of. In view of the increasing consumption of 

 this oil, it can therefore be readily understood that new sources of 

 supply are now looked for, in order to be better able to meet the 

 existing demand. 



This purpose is served by two articles which have appeared during 

 the last few weeks in the Revue de Grasse 2 ). In connection with 

 the information that this year's experiments with the cultivation of 

 lavender shall be started in the vicinity of St. Vallier and Course- 

 goules, these articles endeavour to excite interest in the cultivation of 

 lavender on a large scale. We briefly reproduce here the contents 

 of the articles. 



In consideration of the fact that both the climatic conditions and 

 the condition of the soil of the Grasse district are the most favourable 

 possible for lavender, the cultivation of that plant offers at present 

 all the better prospects, as the cultivation- experiments made in 1905 

 on the Mont Ventoux where the conditions are about the same as 

 at Grasse, have given most excellent results. In other countries, as 

 for example in England, good results have even been obtained on a 

 heathy soil in open country. 



The cultivation offers no special difficulties. Decisive for a good 

 yield is above all a proper fertilization of the soil, for which, according 

 to Professor Zaccharewitz, of Avignon, the following mixture is 

 most suitable: — 



A ) Report October 1906, 42. 



2 ) La Revue de Grasse, 1907, Nos. 8 and 10. 



