FBB. 1908.] 



117 



Oils mid Fats. 



It was adopted after many years of 

 experiment, and experience has shewn 

 what it indicates with little difficulty 

 when oil is pure and when impure fixing 

 the degree of adulteration sufficiently 

 for all Commercial purposes. 



It is the test commonly used by con- 

 sumers in Europe and elsewhere, and for 

 this reason it is unwise to introduce a 

 new one which they would probably 

 refuse to accept. 



It is probable that an Analytical 

 Chemist can suggest a method by which, 

 in his laboratory, with the aid of his 

 appliances he can point out adulteration 

 to a minute degree, but it would be 

 unsuitable to buyers and sellers alike 

 when the value of half a ton or more has 

 to be ascertained in a few minutes. 



The question of adulteration can easily 

 be solved by consumers, if they wish to 

 obtain a pure article ; all they have to do 

 is to offer a higher price for it than for 

 one that is not so, or to refuse impure 



oil ; they state, however, that any res- 

 trictions placed upon its export would 

 increase the cost so much that they 

 prefer to purchase it slightly adulterated. 



Recently some European buyers have 

 increased the severity of their test, and 

 with cheaper prices now ruling, it is 

 probable that all will insist upon an im- 

 provement in quality. 



High prices check consumption and 

 react upon the market to the serious loss 

 of the producer. In April this year the 

 price of Citronella rose to 22|d. per lb„ it 

 has now fallen to 12Ad. 



I am, Sir, 

 Your Obedient Servant, 



CHAS. P. HAYLEY. 



The question which was referred to 

 the Board of Agriculture by Government 

 for an expression of opinion formed one 

 of the subjects that came up at the 

 meeting held on the 3rd February, when 

 after discussion it was unanimously 

 agreed that there was no necessity for 

 a new test. 



