30 | REPORT OF SCHIMMEL & Co. OCTOBER 1915. 
cultivation was 3600 acres larger than in 1913, there was every reason to look forward 
to a good result of the distillation. Our New York expert, despatched, as every year, 
into the peppermint districts of Michigan and Indiana, reported quite favourably on 
the development of the fields; but as the 1913 stocks had been entirely used up by 
spring 1914, the favourable prospects were unable to exert a weakening influence on 
the prices; on the contrary, good oil fetched no less than § 4.25 per lb. But when, 
towards the end of June, distillation began unusually early and when it was found 
that, in consequence of the favourable weather conditions, the yield was exceptionally 
heavy, amounting to as much as 30 Ibs. per acre, and that therefore a total result of 
550000 to 600000 Ibs. would have to be reckoned with, prices could not be maintained 
any longer, but receded to as low as § 1.50 in the course of the year. Besides, the 
quality of the oil was very good, for the farmers had benefitted so liberally from the 
high prices ruling during the few months preceding the crop that, needless to say, 
they had bestowed particular attention on the care of their fields and had spared 
neither labour nor money to make the most of the coming crop. In consequence of 
the war, however, exports of the oil were almost completely stopped, an improvement 
of the prices was therefore not to be hoped for as long as no conclusions could be 
drawn concerning a possible crop failure in 1915. There were no reasons for such 
anticipations during winter 1914 and spring 1915. But at the beginning of the distilling 
season in July this year heavy rains set in, the fields were sadly devastated, the yield 
was reduced and in some districts the herb rotted. To make matters worse, on 
account of the exceptionally favourable weather two cuts had been made almost 
without exception last year, in consequence of which the plants were weakened in 1915 
more than they would have been after a less favourable crop. A rise in prices was, 
however, avoided as there were again 36000 acres more under peppermint than in the 
preceding year, besides, export business was in a bad way on account of the con- 
tinuation of the great war. At the time of writing this report the prices were about 
& 1.55 to § 1.05 per lb. With it all the consumption of peppermint oil is said to 
have increased to such an extent that of the very considerable yield of 1914 only 
about 100000 Ibs. remained unsold. From this it is surmised that higher prices may 
rule between now and next crop, unless we were to meet with unfavourable reactions 
in American home trade, caused by the influences of the European war. 
According to personal observations of our expert, the districts under peppermint 
in the years 1913 to 1915 are as under: — 
1913 to 1914. 
Michigan. 1913 1914 1914 
Counties newly planted total 
Van Buren Co. .. . .... . . ~ « » « 1650 acres 1356 acres —iGGie ewes 
Cass "Coie ss a eee ee 504 ,, 1524 
Berien "Coie. Ss es ees. ol, IS nee. Sous 1249-5 
Ablesan Co... “sa. yo. oe ee Oe Oia = 61 iar 893 
Gratiot and Montcalm Counce! Pink, aeaeeeeeeeth OLAS ars GO 8 Sli 
Saginaw Co. os ss ks Wel ao See Ones 600).5..., 850 __s—,, 
St: Joseph Co. 3) 3G yy 0 eet: ares Os Rtas Bika. 5BB> aes 
Kalamazoo and Calhoun Counties 5. oo Laie ene anes Zl ow a 526 aa 
Baron Go. eit no ~ Re ee Oe 162% ;, 290 ,, 
Brac) CO. 26) a. se kas ht oe A es ee ee en ae 12o ae 20 ale 
Total for Michigan: 8527 acres 4749 acres 8921 acres 
