34 



5 g. of camphor is placed in an acetylation - flask surmounted by a 

 Liebig condenser and heated for 50 hours in the water bath with 

 24 cc. nitric acid (d^o 1,42) and 16 cc. water. The camphoric acid, 

 which separates out in crusts, is recrystallised from water, converted 

 into its sodium salt by means of soda, and again recovered from 

 the latter with hydrochloric acid. Treated by this process, Japanese 

 camphor yields d-camphoric acid, m. p. 187 , whereas artificial cam- 

 phor gives an inactive acid, m. p. 204 to 205 . In conclusion the 

 author recommends the incorporation into the next Edition of the 

 German Pharmacopoeia of his quantitative camphor- determination as 

 well as the requirement therein of a test as to optical rotation. 



Cananga Oil. This article has been available in plentiful quantities 

 of exquisite quality, and it has therefore been possible further to reduce 

 the prices somewhat in course of the summer. 



Cananga oil has not been so cheap for years as it is now; hence no 

 risk whatever would probably be incurred in placing considerable contracts. 



Caraway Oil. The favourable prospects of which we were able 

 to report in April have been realised. During the flowering period 

 the weather was very suitable, and although owing to the subsequent 

 damp weather this year's Dutch seed is rather dark in colour, we are 

 nevertheless on the threshold of a crop which for quantity has not 

 been equalled for years. During the last few months the prices have 

 only been receding very slowly, as the demand has continued very 

 brisk and the stocks of old seed have hardly been sufficient to an- 

 swer the requirements. 



According to official statistics the area under caraway cultivation 

 in Holland during the past 5 years has been as follows: — 

 7158 hectares 1 ) 1909 



4405 



>> 



1908 





4925 



>> 



1907 





4636 



?) 



1906 





4295 



» 



1905 





divided as follows over the various districts: - 







1909 





I908 



Groningen 



1898 heel 



;. against 



922 hect. 



Friesland .... 



49 » 



yy 



22 „ 



Utrecht .... 



10 „ 



91 



4 » 



North Holland . . 



295 6 >> 



jy 



1874 „ 



South Holland . . 



271 » 



yy 



173 ,, 



Zeeland .... 



1127 „ 



yy 



736 „ 



Brabant . . . 



847 '"„ 



j> 



674 * 



7158 hect. against 4405 hect. 



1 ) 1 hectare equals about 2,5 acres. 



