— 54 — 
show a comparatively high exhalation. Recent experiments by Griffon i) 
have proved the error of this assumption; according to these, the 
exhalation of the eucalyptus leaves, as compared with that of our 
indigenous trees, especially the willow, birch, and ash, is twice to three 
times less powerful. For this reason the draining action of the euca- 
lyptus tree, which has even given rise to the name "fever tree", must 
doubtless be attributed chiefly to the property of producing in a very 
short time an abundant foliage. 
Fennel Oil. The distillation of this oil has been carried on by 
us in the present season on a large scale and with the most satis- 
factory result, as the export of fennel was dependent upon both 
Galicia and Roumania and these two countries competed with each 
other. At the same time the price of fennel oil came higher, and 
had to be raised several times. 
The indigenous fennel from the Liitzen and Weissenfels districts 
was this season again of no importance for the oil-distillation. 
Geranium Oil. In Algeria the exceptionally abundant rainfall 
has had a beneficial effect on the geranium-cultivations, and the growers 
show an accommodating disposition. The distillate from the first crop 
is usually ready for shipment in May to June, that of the second crop 
at the end of August. Very fine qualities are expected this year. 
In Reunion the cultivation of geraniums has again increased con- 
siderably, and the distillation now appears to be carried on during the 
greater part of the year, for the shipments do not come to an end. 
The steamer "Djemnah" which recently arrived at Marseilles, brought 
no less than 83 cases, or about 2000 kilos. 
These facts do not agree very well with the animating reports 
which have now been issued from Marseilles, and according to which 
a rise in the quotations was to be expected. In the middle of April 
a cyclone has wasted the island to such an extent that the production 
of oil has since been interrupted. 
With regard to the East Indian geranium or so-called palmarosa 
oil, the conditions mentioned in our last Report still prevail. The 
producing districts have been extended so largely, that it is very difficult 
to arrive at a proper estimate of the market, and it is an extremely 
difficult matter w^hether to advise buying at the present low prices, 
or not. In our opinion we are face to face with a large overproduction. 
Ordinary gingergrass oil is exactly in the same position. Never 
before has this oil been on the market in such fine quality as at 
present, a fact to which w^e desire to call special attention. 
^) Compt. rend. 138 (1904), 157. 
