— 6i — 
With the January quotation the highest price was reached. The 
prices then remained at the same level, and when in February and 
INIarch several large parcels were sold by auction in London and 
fetched prices between 8/- and 9/-, the tendency became less firm, 
and the prices since then are nominal. 
We are convinced that the fall in the quotation of Japanese oil 
will go hand in hand with that of American oil, the same as was the 
case with the rise. On the supposition that this argument is correct, 
it is at present advisable to exercise caution in purchasing. 
The shipments of liquid Japanese oil since i^^ August last year 
were as follows : — 
to Hongkong 
London 
Hamburg . 
„ Havre . 
„ New York 
San Francisco 
„ Philadelphia . 
7097 catties 
2700 „ 
2700 
2475 
1350 „ 
1125 „ 
900 
The comparatively large shipments to Hongkong would probably 
be bound chiefly for Hamburg and London, as our direct import- 
ation during that time is decidedly larger than the figures given for 
Hamburg. 
Peppermint Oil, Mitcham. In the better qualities there is a 
total absence of offers, and it would be a difficult matter to hunt up 
parcels of any importance in England. With the enormous prices of 
American oil, there is a very brisk demand for English oil. In spite 
of the notorious lack of pure original distillates, "Mitcham" oil is hawked 
about at all prices, down to 52 marks per kilo, prices which can only 
raise a smile on the face of those who are behind the scenes. 
Experiments made by E. Charabot and A. Hebert^) have shown 
that mineral salts which have been applied to the soil in the neigh- 
bourhood of a plant, effect a reduction in the water -content of the 
latter. The experiments were made with the peppermint plant, which 
was submitted to the action of common salt, calcium chloride, sal 
amm.oniac; the sulphates of sodium, potassium, ammonium, iron, and 
manganese; the nitrates of sodium, potassium, and ammonium; and 
di-sodium phosphate. The most powerful action is exerted by 
nitrates, especially sodium nitrate; the least powerful by di-sodium 
phosphate. 
^) Compt. rend. 136 (1903), 160. 
