— 7o — 



this grass in the Malay Peninsula. We abstract from the article 1 ) 

 the following: — 



As compared with the cultivation of citronella grass, that of 

 lemon grass offers a very considerable profit. Although the latter 

 is cut only twice yearly, against citronella grass four times, those two 

 cuts have a value of nearly 60 times that of the citronella harvest. 

 This enormous difference in the profitableness is due to the fact that 

 lemon grass oil is at the present time very much in demand, and has 

 increased in price from about 40 rupees to 58 rupees per gallon. 



For the cultivation of lemon grass, a sandy clay is the best, but 

 it also thrives excellently in a well-drained purely sandy soil. It loves 

 a certain amount of moisture, but does not stand continual wet; for 

 this reason rain and sunshine must be in the right proportion if a 

 good crop is to be expected. In the third year, in the cool season, 

 the harvest can be commenced, and at least two cuts can then be 

 taken. The distillation must follow the harvest immediately, and 

 is carried on in the usual primitive manner in copper stills. 



Under normal conditions an annual yield of 8000 ounces oil per 

 acre can be reckoned upon, which at a market value of 8d. per oz. 

 would produce <£ 266.13.4, so that after deducting all expenses, a 

 net profit of at least j£ 200 per acre remains. The result from 10 

 acres of citronella grass, however, with four cuts per annum, is only 

 if 46.16.0. 



We would observe with regard to the above that in the meantime 

 the conditions have undergone a decided change, and the prices of 

 lemongrass oil have already gone back considerably. Many a one 

 who may have been induced by these favourable representations to 

 cultivate lemongrass will have a painful experience. 



Linaloe Oil. The position of this article has during the last 

 six months undergone little or no change, for the Hamburg importers 

 keep up the monopoly now as heretofore, and by clever manipulations 

 they are able to prevent the accumulation of any stocks worth men- 

 tioning on the European markets. The highest price obtained for 

 larger parcels was 17 marks per kilo. But consumers appear to take 

 up a very sceptical attitude towards such demands, for during the 

 last few weeks a greater inclination to sell became visible; one parcel 

 was disposed of at 16 marks. Lately the tone has again become 

 firmer, and 16.50 marks per kilo are asked. 



Oil of sweet Marjoram. See under Terpinene in the Notes 

 on recent research work. 



1 ) Ace. to Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 

 1906, No. 8, 364, 



