According to reports from Tonquin, the prospects of this year's 
harvest are exceptionally favourable. The crop is estimated at double 
that of 1902. 
Oil of Tansy. The American distillate which in point of quality 
is entirely reliable, has been carried along with the general upward 
movement of essential oils of American origin, and has been driven 
up to almost the double value. 
Under these conditions it will be more advantageous to distil this 
oil here in the coming summer. 
Thyme Oil. According to a commercial Report issued by the 
British Board of Trade i), it would appear that the manufacture of 
essential oils in the island of Cyprus is extending more and more. 
Since some time the manufacture of red thyme oil (which to all 
appearances is obtained from an Origanum species), marjoram oil and 
rose oil has received special attention, and for these Cyprus seems to 
offer a large field. For example, the export of red thyme oil amounted 
in 1899/1900 to 237 lbs., in 1901/01, to 615 lbs., and in 1901/02 
to 1086 lbs. The price for the former in England was 3/- per lb., 
which seems a very fair one considering that pure oil of thyme is sold 
for at least 5/- per lb. Origanum is to be found at present growing 
wild only, chiefly in the forests, but the quantity growing there is so 
important, that a much greater quantity of oil could be produced than 
that distilled last year. Rose oil is at present only produced on a small 
scale, but this branch of manufacture appears to be also growing. For 
instance, large plantations of Rosa damasceiia were made last year in 
the neighbourhood of Milikouri and Pedoula, the centre of the rose-oil 
and rose-water manufacture. 
Tuberose Oil. Since A. Verley^), four years ago, published his 
communication on the oil of tuberose-blossoms, this oil has not again 
been submitted to an examination. Verley had isolated from the 
essential oil of tuberoses about 10 per cent, of a compound which he 
calls tuberone. Nothing definite has become known of the properties 
of this body, which appears to be a ketone, and is said to be composed 
according to the formula C^o O. Even less is known of the remaining 
constituents of this oil. In connection with our other chemical examinations 
of the blossom-oils which are so important for the better-class perfumery, 
we have also occupied ourselves with tuberose oil. A result of the 
work which is not yet concluded may be communicated in this place. 
The crude material employed for the examination was extract of 
tuberose-blossoms, as an essential tuberose-oil is not on the market. 
^) The Chemist and Druggist 61 (1902), 1026. 
2) Bull. Soc. chim. III. 21 (1899), 307. 
