- 36 - 



In these circumstances, we believe that it may be assumed with 

 some certainty that the present prices will not show any serious fluctu- 

 ation for some months to come. There is absolutely no ground for 

 expecting an advance in prices. 



The sale of the highly popular Javacitronella oil within the past 

 few months has also been extremely sluggish, and indications are already 

 perceptible of over-production, on the ground of which a prospective 

 decline in prices of this variety is also to be looked for. 



As in the case of lemongrass 1 ) , de Jong 2 ) has also conducted 

 experiments on the oil content of the various parts of Java citronella 

 grass (Andropogon Nardus Java; sereh wangi) in different stages of 

 development, in order to discover which is the most favourable time 

 for distilling. The result was exactly the same as in the case of 

 lemongrass; as the leaf ages the oil content decreases; the sheaths of 

 the leaves and the roots contain much less oil than the leaves them 

 selves. In this case also, de Jong considers it the best plan to cut 

 the grass as soon as four or five leaves have developed. The greater 

 richness in oil of citronella grass as compared with lemongrass was 

 remarkable; the former usually yielded three or four times as much 

 oil as did the latter. As regards the properties of oil trom different 

 batches of old leaves, the optical rotation and total geraniol content 

 (= geraniol -{- citronellal) show only insignificant variations. The 

 rotation varies irregularly; values ranging from — 2° J f to — 7 36' 

 being observed in oil from leaves of various ages. The total geraniol 

 content first increases in an ascending scale from the newest up to 

 the oldest leaf and afterwards decreases in a corresponding manner; 

 the lowest value was 85,5 °/ , the highest 93,3%. The results of this 

 investigation induced de Jong to make experiments as to the time 

 required for acetylation, the behaviour of the oil towards acetic 

 anhydride, the volume of acetate of sodium to be added, and the 

 time required for saponification. On the basis of these enquiries 

 de Jong considers that two hours are needed both for acetylation 

 and for saponification, and that for every 20 cc. of oil and acetic an- 

 hydride, 2 g. of sodium acetate are required in order to produce ac- 

 curate results. He concludes this because in his experiments on 

 citronella oils, he obtained the best values by following this method. 



The oils examined by de Jong were soluble in three parts of 

 80 per cent, alcohol; when more than four parts of the solvent were 

 used, turbidity ensued. According to our observations, the Java oils 

 of commerce make a clear solution with 1 to 2 vols, of 80 per cent. 





x ) See Report November 1908, 81. 



2 ) Teysmannia, 1908. From a copy kindly sent to us. 



