38 



Medicinal Pin nix. 



Despite the marked disparity between the supply and demand, it will be noted From 

 this Aveek's advices that there is not likely to be an advance in prices for crude next 

 year. The reason that was offered is significant, " that the government does not 

 wish to encourage too deep a research into chemistry for an artificial substitute." 

 Enough stimulus has, however, been afforded to the development of synthetical 

 experimentation by the steadily increasing importance of camphor and the restric- 

 tions upon its production and marketing. Several attempts have been made to solve 

 this chemical problem, and new zeal was furnished during the early part of the 

 Japanese-Russian war, when a combination of London manufacturers of celluloid 

 and celluloid goods, the largest field for camphor consumption, offered a prize of 

 $50,000 for the discovery of an acceptable substitute for camphor. Some of the 

 results were triumphs of chemical skill, and the products appeared to possess every 

 characteristic of the natural gum, but none of them was able to stand the supreme 

 test of commercial practicability. The turpentine base seems to have been gener- 

 ally employed in these processes, and the speculative tendency of this market is 

 believed to have proved the chief stumbling block. We are advised that a compara- 

 tively new method by a synthesis of a French chemist, but using the turpentine 

 basis, is in successful operation abroad, to the extent of turning out ton lots, and the 

 statement is made that an American plant will be in operation under the same 

 control before June of next year. 



THE CONSULAR REPORT. 



The following is the report by United States ConsulFisher, of Tamsui, Formosa, 

 Avhich is the most comprehensive review of the camphor industry from a commercial 

 as well as an industrial standpoint that has been published in recent years :— 



" On August5, 1889, the camphor industry of Formosa Avas placed under govern- 

 mental monopoly. The chief reason for this action Avas to increase the reA T enues of 

 the Government. Other reasons were to raise the standard of quality of camphor 

 manufactured, to regulate the production with regard to future supply, and possibly 

 to save the savage tribes in Avhose terri tories practically all of the remaining camphor 

 forests exist. The conditions under which the monopoly has been conducted since it 

 was created, so far as the manufacture of camphor is concerned, are as follows : — 



Persons wishing to engage in the manufacture of camphor in the forests 

 are required to obtain permits from the Government. They must furnish an 

 estimate of the amount of camphor they expect to produce during the ensuing 

 year, which must be of a quality not below a certain standard fixed by the 

 Government. All of the camphor, as Avell as camphor oil, produced must be sold 

 to the Government at prices fixed by it, according to the fineness of the product. 

 Besides accepting deliveries at its main office at Taihoko, the monopoly bureau 

 at first established stations throughout the camphor districts, at Avhich the camphor 

 was accepted from the manufacturers. For camphor delivered at one of the 

 stations a sufficient amount Avas deducted to cover the cost of transportation 

 to Taihoku, and the loss in weight that would result while in transit. 



" Prices and Production.— The schedule of prices for crystalized camphor 

 per picul in yen paid at the different stations was fixed as follows : — 



Crystallized camphor. Camphor oil- 



First grade. Second grade. Third grade. 



Station. 



Yen. 



Yen. 



Yen. 



Yen. 



Taihoku 



30.00 



27.00 



24-30 



15.00 



Shinhchiku ... 



29.00 



26.10 



23.56 



14.50 



Byoritsu 



27.00 



24.80 



22.30 



13.80 



Taichu 



26.00 



23.40 



21-10 



13-00 



Toroku 



22.00 



19.80 



17.80 .. 



11.00 



Rato 



27.50 



24.80 



22.80 



13.80 



5 



