— 104 — 



regarded as a very favourable one when compared with the crop of 

 1908, which was only 2652 kilos. 



In consequence of this result the prices have gone back by about 1 o °/ , 

 and they would certainly be lower still if special conditions had not 

 imparted to the market a comparatively firm appearance, at any rate 

 for the present. These conditions were that in the course of the 

 spring a rumour went round that in revising the American Customs 

 Tariff it was intended to take rose oil out of the „Free List" and to 

 place upon it, in common with most other essential oils, a duty of 25 °/ . 

 A number of traders were induced by these reports to ship con- 

 siderable quantities of last year's oil, the cost of which was com- 

 paratively high, to the United States, so as not to miss the profit which 

 was counted upon in case a duty should be decided upon. This 

 speculation has proved a failure, for the few alterations which were 

 made in the Customs Tariff so far as our articles are concerned, have 

 not in any way affected rose oil. The large and costly stocks which 

 are now stored in the U. S. A. are inducing the Bulgarian owners to 

 do everything in their power in order to force up the prices, or at 

 any rate to maintain them at a sufficient level to enable them to get 

 out of their adventure with the smallest possible loss. In view of the 

 abundant result of the new crop it does not appear to us that these 

 efforts are likely to be very successful, and the firms referred to, which 

 are very little to be envied, will probably only be able to dispose of 

 their supplies at considerable sacrifice. In any case, we do not believe 

 that it will be possible to keep up the prices until the principal quantity 

 of this year's oil has been disposed of, when there would be real 

 justification for a greater firmness in the market. 



Crop results of the last 10 years. 

 1909 4319 kilos 1904 5000 kilos 



1908 



2652 



J> 



1903 



6250 



1907 



2513 



)> 



1902 



3200 



1906 



4625 



>) 



1901 



3050 



1905 



4150 



>> 



1900 



4250 



Parry 1 ), having examined four authentic samples of rose oil of 

 the present years's crop has found them to possess the following 

 properties: d 30 o 0,8568 to 0,8573, « D — 2°3o' to — 3 , n D2 5° 1,4626 

 to 1,4630, after washing with water 1,4630 to 1,4638; m. p. 22,5°. 

 Total geraniol content 68,5 to 71 °/o- 



According to Parry's observations 2 ), the adulteration of rose oil 

 has continued to be practised on a large scale this year. Fewer 



*) Chemist and Druggist 75 (1909), 186. 

 2 ) Ibidem 292. 



: 



