281 



Oils and Fats> 



purchasers at home as adulterated. It has, however, long been a matter of dispute 

 as to the reliability of Schimmel's test, and its application to what was guaranteed 

 to be pure oil, has proved this suspicion to ba correct. Samples of the same dis- 

 tillate have been taken by Messrs. Sage & Harrison, Messrs. Lever Bros., and 

 Wm. Gossage & Sons , and Schimmers test applied, and it is' most remarkable to 

 record that some samples have passed the test and others have not. Yet the oil 

 was from the sams distillate and was guaranteed to be free from any adulteraut, 

 because the whole of the processes from planting and distilliug the grass to sealing 

 the bottles was done under my supervision. Though some samples of the oil did 

 not pass Schimmel's test, subsequent physical and chemical analyses proved the oil 

 to be free from any adulterant and the firms had no hesitation in pronouncing the 

 oil of excellent quality and as one which would command a much higher price than 

 that ruling for ordinary Ceylon Citronella. 



Fresh Tests Wanted. 

 If the one great test which has hitherto been employed by the biggest firms 

 in London and New York, is not applicable, it becomes a serious question as to how 

 the value of Citronella oil can be fixed in the future to the satisfaction of purchasers. 

 The results of the investigation have so impressed some London chemists that they 

 have beeu hold enough to propose that any of the tests hitherto suggested 

 for use in determining the purity of Citronella oil should be disregarded ; they 

 state that tests are not necessary if Government or any known firm will 

 guarantee the purity of the oil and quote the percentage of geraniol and 

 citronellal present. This suggested departure from old methods is indicative 

 of the desire of home chemists to place the question on a sound scientific 

 basis. They are supported by the results of analyses which showed that though 

 our oil did not pass Schimmel's test it coutained 41% of geraniol and 36% 

 of citronellal or a total of 77% of acetylisable contents calculated as geraniol ; 

 ordiuary unguaranteed samples possess about 60%. To bring about such a radical 

 change will take some time and anticipating some opposition we have promised 

 to forward another consignment of pure oil in order that the same analyses 

 may be made. 



HIGHER PRICES OBTAINED. 



The second point on which I desire to dwell is the market value of the 

 pure oil, as the results obtained in this direction are very satisfactory. The 

 oil was sent in the cruie, freshly filtered state and the greater part of it could 

 have been refined by simply distilling with water and its value thereby con- 

 siderably enhanced. It was however, considered undesirable to in any way 

 refine the oil, as it was necessary to know the value of the crude material. 

 Th ; first report was received from Messrs Marshall and French who replied 

 that they would have no difficulty in getting 2d. per lb. more for it than the 

 ordinary qualities of citronella. Another firm subsequently offered 3d. per lb. 

 above the ruling rates. Finally, though the greater part of the oil was in a 

 very crude but unadulterated condition and the whole of the consignment was 

 considered too small to attract the attention of big buyers, the lot was sold 

 at Is. 6cZ. per lb. when ordinary citronella was selling at under Is id. 



VALUE OF PURE OIL PROVED COMMERCIALLY. 



The fact that ths unadulterated oil, though in undesirable quantity and 

 crudeness, was sold at a price 12% higher than the prevailing market rate, is 

 encouraging nob only from a scientific point of view but from the standpoint 

 of profit to the cultivate. It means that on a citronella estate of only 300 

 acres and y'elding 50 lb. of oil per acre, per year, the value of the oil is 

 raised from Rs, 15,00J to Rs. 10,875 or an increase of over £120. It means that for 



