\ — 23 — 



and we are therefore working up only as much as is absolutely necessary. 

 Sooner or later the market will probably give way again, experience showing 

 that when the prices are profitable the production is generally considerably 

 increased. Most of the seed on offer was West Indian, Java having only 

 sent small quantities. 



On the oil-content of gum Ammoniacum see p. 24. 



Angelica Oil. The angelica plantations here in Miltitz as well as 

 in Thuringia are still suffering from the results of the dry summer of 1911. 

 Young plants were everywhere wanting last spring because last year's 

 sowings had been an unqualified failure. The dampness and the almost 

 sunless summer of 1912 have of course also had an injurious effect and 

 we therefore believe that we shall not go wrong if we describe the present 

 outlook as unfavourable. Judging by the appearance of the fields, the 

 yield of root seems hardly likely to equal one-third of a normal crop. 

 Whether it will be possible to procure a sufficient quantity of angelica 

 seed for distilling purposes appears to be doubtful, as the entire pro- 

 duction is certain to be required for sowing purposes. 



Anise Oil, Russian. The present year's harvest of Russian anise 

 has suffered a few weeks' delay, and we are therefore, to our regret, unable 

 on this occasion to express a definite opinion as to its result. The in- 

 formation which has reached us from various quarters up to the time when 

 the present Report was written agrees in describing the probable yield 

 this year as considerably in excess of that of 1911. According to the 

 statement of one of our authorities, the area under cultivation is less by 

 1000 dessiatines this year than last, but from another quarter it is asserted 

 that it is, if anything, rather larger than in 1911. At the first fair in 

 Krasnoie only very small quantities were brought to market, which were 

 bought up at noticeably higher prices than those of 1911. It would 

 appear that the paucity of the supply at this fair was mainly caused by 

 the delay in getting in the crop. The new seed is of good appearance; 

 it is small and green in colour and for this reason a brisk export-demand 

 is expected. Whether this year's quality is also suitable for distilling 

 purposes, that is to say whether its oil-content is satisfactory, cannot as 

 yet be stated. It will therefore be necessary to await the further devel- 

 opment of events before it is possible to form an idea of the probable 

 course of prices of Russian anise oil. From an authoritative source the 

 total yield of the crop is estimated at about 250 car-loads. 



Arnica Oils. A fresh supply of arnica flower oil is again in stock. 

 In many parts the damp weather which prevailed during the summer- 

 months has impeded the collection of the flowers. 



We have also at length been able again to distil a quantity of oil 

 from arnica root, although the high price of the raw material cannot be 



