- 46 - 
this, the best of all known sorts, have also advanced 25 per cent. An 
increase in the quotations of the fine distillates from berries can hardly 
be avoided. 
Lavender Oil. This important article has attained a remarkable 
position, of which the development and the final course cannot as yet 
be foreseen. The reports from the chief production-districts in the 
South of France are uniformly unfavourable, and throughout point to 
a very low yield. We received reliable original reports in the first 
instance from the Drome department, where already in March and 
April the plants had been greatly damaged by frost and rain. The 
quotations ot the oils with an ester-content of 26 to 30 per cent, which 
are exclusively distilled in that district, are expected to run to 16 francs, 
against 1 2 francs paid last year. 
In the Hautes- and Basses -Alpes departments, as also in Vau- 
cluse, the situation is equally unfavourable, and there also, at the 
last markets held at Sault (where we were represented), oils of 
36 to 42 per cent ester- content were briskly purchased at a price 
about 25 per cent higher than that of last year. In some districts 
the yield is estimated at one half, in others at one third. The market 
at Apt, where oils containing 30 per cent ester are chiefly sold, was 
equally strong. 
From the Gard and Herault departments similar complaints are 
heard. The production there is also reported as very small, and high 
prices are anticipated. The distilling season, which usually lasts one to 
I Y2 month, has this year come to an end in three weeks. 
In consequence of this critical state of affairs, there has been keen 
competition in the purchases in the principal districts, which has driven 
the prices up by 3 to 4 francs. - Whether the fears, that the production 
will not be sufficient to meet the demand, are justified, remains to 
be seen. In any case the situation has totally changed, and the old 
experience is confirmed, that a slight obstacle is sufficient to cause a 
complete revolution in the values of such an important article. 
We hope to be in a position to satisfy the normal requirements 
of our regular clients, without, however, being able, under the existing 
conditions, to accept any responsibility whatever. 
E. Parry ^) has again considered the question, already so often 
discussed, whether the esters in French lavender oil have such an 
influence on the fineness and strength of the aroma, that it is advisable 
to accept the ester-content as a standard of value for this oil. In 
conjunction with that group of French firms which does not approve 
^) The Chemist and Druggist 61 {1902), 168. 
