36 REPORT OF SCHIMMEL & Co. APRIL 1914. 
very difficult by the practice of the Japanese to dispose of the different grades of the 
oil only in parcels assorted in definite proportions. If a buyer, for instance, wishes 
to acquire 1000 cases of white camphor oil, he is obliged to buy at the same 
time several thousand cases of brown oil, for which, possibly, he may have no use 
until the distant future. This business custom of the Japanese greatly impedes 
operations in camphor oil, and it is to be regretted that, as we are informed, there 
is no prospect of the abolition of the restriction thus forced upon buyers. The 
call for our light camphor oil has at times been particularly brisk, especially from 
England, whence during the month of February an exceptionally strong demand 
manifested itself. It is true that our stock of heavy camphor oil has not been drawn 
upon to the same extent, but this oil also has gradually become indispensable for 
many technical purposes. The prices of both qualities have remained unchanged, 
and the steady sale is likely to keep the values at their present level during the 
near future. 
The local authorities of the District of Tokyo have last year initiated experiments 
on a large scale in planting camphor trees on the island-groups situated in the Bay of 
Tokyo, and especially on the large volcanic Island of Oshima and on the Hachijojima- 
group, north of the Bonin Islands‘). The trees have stood the summer well, and are 
said to be making rapid growth. As a result, neighbouring local authorities have 
followed the example of Tokyo, and afforestation with camphor trees is at present 
being carried out on the islands near Idzu and on the Bonin Islands’). At the beginning 
of November the first experiment in camphor-refining was also made at Oshima, and 
if the experiments should be successful, the Tokyo local authorities intend to lease 
the exploitation of camphor on their islands to private companies. In the Island of 
Formosa, the principal centre of production of Japanese camphor, the last business | 
year has been a very good one. In 1911 the Monopoly Bureau’s exports reached a 
total of 5,7 million lbs., of a value of 3,6 million Yen, but in 1912 the figures were 
8,7 million lbs., of a value of 5,6 million Yen. The principal buyers were the United 
States and Germany, each of which took about 2,3 million lbs.; Old Japan took 1,7 
and England 1 million lbs., France about 900000 Ibs. and India 300000 Ibs. For the 
current year the figures for America and Germany are pretty much the same, England 
and France have taken considerably increased quantities, and the Indian takings have 
trebled. But the greatest increase of all is with Old Japan which, it is true, re-exports 
in turn to other countries, but whose own camphor industry is nevertheless the principal 
factor accounting for these increased imports. Side by side with the increase in exports 
there was a reduction in the output in Formosa, with the result that the stocks there 
are now pretty nearly exhausted. For this reason the management of the Monopoly 
is now engaged in devising measures for accumulating a sufficiency of fresh supplies 
as soon as possible. The result of the experiments in the preparation of camphor 
from leaves has shown that the quantity of camphor contained in the leaves of the 
tree equals about 25 p.c. of that which is obtainable from the trunk, branches, and 
twigs. To the question whether enough camphor trees are being planted to compen- 
sate for those that are cut down, the Monopoly authorities return a distinct affirmative. 
It is said that in the districts inhabited by the subdued aborigines large areas: of 
camphor-trees have also been found to exist, and that there is consequently no cause 
for anxiety as to the future production of camphor. 
1) Ostasiatischer Lloyd 1918, 50. — 7) Comp. Report April 1913, 38. 
