— 73 — 



The exports from the beginning of October up to the end of February 

 (about 265 tons) cannot be called heavy, but just recently numerous orders 

 have been received, particularly from France. Moreover, the scanty yield of 

 the crop in the district of Verona (according to our latest computations it 

 amounted only to about 70 tons, compared with a maximum yield of 600 tons 

 a few years ago), has also influence on the Florentine market. Numerous orders 

 have come in for the latter variety, as a result of which, along with the new 

 crop, the still remaining stocks of Veronese orris root have been exhausted, 

 excepting a small quantity which is in firm hands. This fact has further 

 strengthened the position. Veronese orris of the quality known as "mercantile" 

 was purchasable in October for 35 marks, whereas now the parity of 43 marks 

 cif. Hamburg is being paid. Hence a speculative movement has developed 

 locally in Florentine orris root, and the orders which are coming in are en- 

 couraging the dealers and speculators to further purchases, with the result that 

 we are at present compelled to quote 64 marks for Florentine orris in pickings, 

 and 54 marks for seconds, both cif. Hamburg. It will of course depend upon 

 the future demand whether these prices will be maintained or perhaps advance 

 still further. We have already previously stated that of about 515 tons of 

 old stock, about 100 tons are worm-eaten, and it appears that since we wrote 

 the proportion of worm-eaten root has become still larger, for which reason 

 great care is necessary in buying. The yield of the last seven crops has been 

 as follows: — 



1902 . 



. about 



1000 tons, 



1903 . 



• ») 



750 ,, 



1904 . 



» 



670 „ 



1905 • 



J5 



850 „ 



1906 . 



»> 



800 „ 



1907 . 



» 



500 „ 



1908 . 



»» 



500 „ 



Total about 5070 tons, 



Average about 725 tons. 

 On the other hand, the average annual exports during the past six years, 

 according to our October report, amounted to about 692 tons. In case, there- 

 fore, the next succeeding crops should again average only about 500 tons, or 

 even less, as appears likely owing to the reduced planting, this shortage, jud- 

 ging from the statistical position of the article, might easily start a rise in 

 prices, unless the consumption of orris root should fall off owing to the cheap- 

 ness of ionone, as to which we are, however, unable to form an opinion. 



In connection with the concluding sentence of the above review, 

 we may state that, in our opinion, it is true that the competition of 

 cheap violet-scents makes itself felt by restricting business in orris oil, 

 and that he who would build his plans upon a brisker demand during 

 the next months would probably make a miscalculation. Moreover, 

 it is to be remembered that on March I st the available stock amounted 

 to full 750 tons, that is to say more than an average season's pro- 

 duction. Even a restriction of planting is therefore unlikely to have 

 a stiffening effect upon the market position in the near future. 



Parsley Oil. As the apiol content of German oils differs from 

 that of French oils of parsley 1 ), H. Thorns 2 ) had intended to 



*) Comp. Gildemeister and Hoffmann, The Volatile Oils, p. 548. 

 2 ) Berl. Berichte 36 (1903), 345 1; Report April 1904, 67. 



