Resins, 204 [April 1907. 



G.K.K.B. 



U.S. & D. (in 

 diamond) R 

 S.P. (in circle) 



1 bag scrappy crepe, 5s 2d ; 1 bag dark pressed crepe, 



4s 6d ; 1 ease pressed sheet, 5s 8]d. 



_ EXPORTS OP PLANTATION RUBBER PROM CEYLON. 

 Prom 1st January to 4th February. 



1907 ... ... 114 tons 1905 ... ... 21 tons 



1900 ... ... 9| „ 1904 ... ... 2i „ 



Exports from Singapore— 1907, 1st to 28th January ... 36" ,, 



GOW, WILSON & STANTON, LTD., 



London. 



CAMPHOR CULTIVATION. 



There has been much talk of late in Ceylon planting circles concerning the 

 possibility of camphor cultivation in that island, and many are anxious to learn 

 whether operations are likely to prove profitable, especially in view of the extreme 

 scarcity and high prices which now appear to be more or less permanent. Camphor 

 has been cultivated for experimental purposes in Ceylon and India for a number of 

 years, but not until quite recently has it been successfully produced. So far as we 

 can learn, the planter has not the best methods of distillation at his disposal, and 

 has not been able to extract camphor in paying quantities. This is well illustrated 

 by the fact that nine months ago there were over one hundred acres under the 

 camphor-plant in Ceylon, yet up to the present not more than a ton of crude 

 camphor has been produced. Recently the Governor of Ceylon has been talking of 

 the potentialities of camphor-culture, and since then there has been an unprecedented 

 rush for seed. Concessions of land have been granted in Ceylon, and planting 

 will shortly commence on a substantial scale ; and as the climatic conditions are 

 said to be similar to those of Formosa, there seems every reason that the experiment 

 should ultimately be successful. It appears, however, there is great difficulty in 

 obtaining true camphor-seed from Japan, as, naturally, the Japanese are prepared 

 neither to assist the planter nor to give away the secrets of their distillation. If it 

 were possible to get hold of a Japanese or Chinaman actually engaged in the 

 camphor-industry, the difficulty might be quickly solved, as the Ceylon planter has 

 everything to learn regarding distillation. In other words, he has a certain quantity 

 of raw material at hand, and is as yet unable to obtain an adequate yield of the 

 crude product. Mr. Kelway Bamber, the Ceylon Government Chemist, has been at 

 work for some time at Peradeniya, and has succeeded in perfecting an inexpensive 

 still which it is hoped will render the process an easy one. The profit at present 

 prices would be considerable, but a grower would probably have to take a much 

 lower price than the ruling quotation of 350s. per cwt. The demand for camphor is 

 only a limited one, but we believe the danger of over-production in Ceylon is remote 

 and that planters would be justified in going ahead. 



Ever since the Japanese monopoly was established some eight years ago, the 

 crude-camphor market has been more or less starved or only supplied with extremely 

 limited quantities. This, of course, is not entirely the fault of the Japanese Govern- 

 ment, as they have encountered many difficulties in working their monopoly in 

 Formosa. Labour-troubles, native rebellions, earthquakes, and the late war have 

 all contributed their quota in regard to diminished shipments. One fact, however, 

 stands out prominent since the institution of the monopoly, i.e., the refining of 

 camphor in Europe and the United States has dwindled to a mere shadow compared 

 with what it was a decade ago ; and, in spite of official denials to the contrary, the 

 refining is gradually passing into Japanese hands. 



