SCIENTIFIC AND OTHER NOTES ON ESSENTIAL OILS. 15 
Citronella Oil, Java. In spite of the difficulties under which shipments of large 
parcels from Java have to be made at the present time, we have obtained several 
consignments of superior quality and are at the disposal of interested parties for 
special offers. Seeing that Ceylon citronella has practically disappeared from German 
markets, we would like to draw our customers’ attention to the fact that a good, 
unworked Java oil, such as we are ina position to supply, is nearly twice as powerful 
as, besides being of an infinitely and incomparably finer odour than, Ceylon oil. It 
can be strongly recommended in all cases where our Ceylon citronella substitute, 
introduced a few months back and well liked by most users, does not satisfy com- 
pletely as regards fineness of odour. 
Clove Oil. In a Netherland Colonial journal’), a treatise?) is discussed about 
clove cultivation in Zanzibar, from which we may here reproduce a few particulars 
in completion of previous communications*). The clove tree requires clay soil, the 
trees growing better on red or brown clay soil than on lighter coloured soils. Before 
sowing, the seeds are softened in water for about three days and, after germination 
has taken place, they are planted in shaded beds. The beds must be kept well 
watered and the shoots must be protected against the sun by being roofed over. The 
young plants remain in these beds from 9 months to a year; as soon as they are 
about 15 cm. (6 inches) high, the roofing is removed little by little, after which the 
plants remain in the sunny beds for another two months or so, when they are used 
for the plantations. The distance between the plants should be from 5.5 to 7.3 m. 
(6 to 8 yards). A round hole is dug, about 1.2 m. wide and 0.6 m. deep, in the centre 
of which there is a planting hole about 0.3 m. wide and deep. The planting has to 
be done with great care, and the young plants are watered in hot or dry weather, 
but in no case are they protected against the sun. It is assumed that the clove tree 
attains the age of about 90 years. It seems to be attacked but very rarely by fungoid 
diseases*), but it often happens that its leaves are devoured entirely by caterpillars; 
however, during the rainy season the foliage grows again. White ants also damage 
the tree occasionally by destroying the roots. 
The Imperial Institute, of London®), has collected observations showing the content 
of oil in Zanzibar cloves in the various stages of development, and has examined the 
oils thus obtained. The following are the particulars of this examination: — 
1. Cloves from a tree 8 to 9 years old. 
2. Cloves from a tree 45 years old. The cloves were picked just before the 
buds turned pink, or about 8 to 10 days before ready. 
3. Cloves from a tree 60 years old; the cloves were picked when the buds 
had become pink and ready for cieking, 
4. Cloves from a tree 60 years old, cloves picked when in full flower. 
5. Mother-cloves from a tree 60 years old; sample consisted principally of clove 
fruits, but a considerable number of buds were also present. 
Of N°s 1 and 2 the stems were also distilled. The result is shown in the follow- 
ing table: — 
1) Indische Mercuur 38 (1915), 471. — *) Simmon’s Spice Mill. 1915, No. 42 of April 15t. — %) Comp. 
Report October 1910, 39; April 1913, 47; October 1918, 45; April 1914, 47. — *) Comp. page 65 of this Report. — 
*) Bull. Imp. Inst, 12 (1914), 337. 
