— 97 — 



but we are unable to support this view, as it does not appear to us 

 that there is any logical reason for it. 



The exports of peppermint oil from the United States in the course 

 of the last 3 fiscal years (July to June) were as follows: — 



1906/7 147722 lbs., value $ 499082. — 

 1907/8. 141617 „ „ „ 357555- — 

 1908/9 160811 „ „ „ 288318. — 



These statistics show that the exports in the course of the last 

 3 years have advanced io°/ in quantity, whereas their value has 

 receded by about 50%. 



The shipments during the first six months of the last two years 

 were as follows: — 



1909 1908 



January 



105 1 5 lbs. 



12 61 1 lbs. 



February 



9 2 50 „ 



1 1 449 „ 



March 



1 1 961 •„ 



15536 „ 



April 



6461 „ 



9475 „ 



May 



6 56o „ 



' 8678 „ 



June 



9822 „ 



7648 „ 



Total 54669 lbs. against 65397 lbs. 



Contrary to the state of things disclosed in the above statistics, 

 the sale of our popular brand of rectified American peppermint 

 oil "F. S. & Co." during the past few months has been more animated 

 than in 1908; in fact the sales exceeded considerably those which were 

 made in the corresponding period of the record year 1907. Consumers 

 appear to be gradually adopting the view which we have so long ex- 

 pressed, that the employment of a quality of such excellence as the 

 one referred to above produces far better results than can be obtained 

 with the "cheap" Mitcham peppermint oils which are being plentifully 

 offered, but which are dear at any price. 



Peppermint Oil, English. When the present report went to 

 press, the 1909 crop, — which of course has been considerably 

 belated — , was not yet concluded, and its results can therefore be estim- 

 ated only approximately. It is natural that the high prices which have 

 ruled during the last few years have again led many planters to in- 

 terest themselves in the article, and that therefore in some of the 

 Northern districts considerably more land was laid under peppermint 

 this year than in 1908. However, during the growing time of the plants 

 there has been a want of sunshine, as a result of which the oil- 

 cells have been unable to develop sufficiently, and therefore, not- 

 withstanding the increased area cultivated, no greater output of oil 

 can be expected this year than last, so that very probably the prices 



7 



