44 REPORT OF SCHIMMEL & Co. APRIL 1914. 
Since our last Report there has been a not inconsiderable change in the market — 
position of Java citronella oil. The driving-up of prices to which we referred in 
October 1913 has had for its result the establishment of a whole series of new 
distilleries and plantations in Java, the owners of which desired to profit from the 
exceptionally high prices which were paid for Java citronella oil at the end of last year. 
It is said that some of those engaged in the industry in Java have allowed themselves 
to be deluded by brokers, who had held out to them the prospect of large gains, into 
selling enormous quantities for delivery in the present year and in 1915. As always 
happens in such cases, buyers were of course found at good prices and the latter, 
with their contracts in their pockets, now believe themselves to be sufficiently covered 
for the whole of the year. In our opinion, however, they will find themselves bitterly 
disappointed, for we do not believe that even one-half of the quantities sold will be 
delivered. The planting of Sereh-grass is comparatively costly and as, moreover, it is 
necessary to lay down a plant of some sort or other for distilling the grass, some of . 
the new “manufacturers” (so we are informed from Java) have already lost their 
enthusiasm for the business. And when the many new undertakings in the island 
begin to understand that is not possible always to realize such prices as they may 
have thought, other producers, or such as contemplate going in for the industry, will 
simply let their contracts slide, and will allow the buyers in Europe to do as they 
please. 
Few sales have been made lately. On the one hand, the fact that the price of 
geranium oil has fallen very considerably has exercised a certain indirect influence 
upon the citronella oil market, and on the other, nobody now cares to buy unless he 
is absolutely in need of oil. Most firms still calculate upon receiving a considerable 
part of the oil which they have bought for delivery during the current year. We 
believe, however, that we shall not be wrong in assuming that last year’s experience 
will repeat itself this year; the small new works in Java will deliver nothing or next 
to nothing, and towards the middle or the end of the year a strong demand will again 
set in for the article. It is obvious that the prices will then become firmer again. 
Hence, in our opinion, the position of the market will develop on similar lines as 
last year. 
There have lately been considerable differences in the quality of the oil. Judged 
by analytical results there have only been few cases of adulteration, but some of these 
have been of a very gross character. For the rest, the oils that have come on the 
market may be described as pure and unadulterated, although, as already stated, the 
Java oils have lately shown differences, often somewhat considerable, especially in 
respect of their citronellol- and geraniol-content. . 
We are now able, as the result of a further series of observations made by us, 
to amplify the statements of the geraniol- and citronellal-contents respectively of 
citronella oil, which we made in our Report of April 1913, p. 44. The estimation of 
geraniol was carried out by the method previously described (Report October 1912, 
p. 43). We have lately carried on the estimation of citronellal exclusively by the 
oximation-method (ibidem 42), as this method has been shown to give the most equable 
results. The limits of value ascertained by us were as follow: — 
Java Citronella Oil Ceylon Citronella Oil 
Geraniol. . . 26 to 44,4 p.c. 20,7 10, 3a,0) Pine 
Citrenellal i .. 23410 a0 tape: 5; to. 10, ope ce 
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