536 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
[Fbu. 1, 1900. 
COCOA BUTTER DEAREK IN AMERICA. 
Values in cocoa butter for both bulk and cake are 
still advancing in a mannpr that occasions considerable 
surprise to not a few. At the most recent sales in both 
Loudon and Amsterdam the prices obtained were on a 
higher level than those of the last previous auctions. 
At the time of sale in the latter city our correspond- 
ent informed us by cable that the offerings were dis- 
posed of at au Poverage price of niuetj-four Dnteh cents 
per half-kilogiam, which compares well witli the price 
of nipety-one cents at the previous auction, in iSIovem- 
ber, and even more favorably with the average price 
recorded at the October auction, which amounted to 
eighty-eight Dutch cents. With largely depleted stocks 
in this country, the consuming demand has grown to be 
of considerable proportions, while the purchase' to 
supply the large current requirements have mainly 
been of a hand-to-mouth character. Importers in this 
and other American markets are, generally speaking, 
in no position at present to supply cocoa butter in 
considerable quantities, and with the demand being 
what it is, the recent stiffening of values is not to be 
wondered at. A factor, however, has lately entered into 
the situation that is becoming of increasing importance. 
As prices have commenced to assume the high level 
recently prevailing, a large part of the manufacturing 
and consuming trade have in consequence had recourse 
to the purchase of what is now offered by several 
dealers as a substitute for cocoa butter, for confec- 
tioners' uses. The prices prevailing for this article 
are less than one-half of what is quoted for the regular 
goods, and it is reported that the demand for it has 
lately become quite large. It is, of course, doubtful to 
what extent this can figure as a future factor in the 
situation, but it is unquestionable that the business in 
the article is already large and growing. Although 
trade sentiment is somewhat at variance regarding 
future values in the real butter, ciud the holders' views 
are expressed only with the greatest diflidence, the 
prevailing sentiment seems inclined to the view that 
prices, although not likely to be seriously checked for 
the near future, have reached the level where any 
farther large appreciation is not thought probable. — 
Oil Faint and Drug Report. 
A.' ]S1EW TEXTILE PLANT. 
Some years ago; an explorer in Asia discovered a 
plant of silken fibre, nsed by the Turkomans for the 
manufacture of withes and cord, and by the Canagues, 
for woven goods. This plant, known as Apocynum 
venetum, is a sort of bush with slender cylindrical 
branches, sometimes 6 feet high. It grows in Europe, 
Siberia, Asia Minor, the north of India, Mvinchuria 
and Japan but is n.ot cultivated, and, up to the present 
has been used only in the natural state. The branches 
die yearly, and in the spring new shoots start horizon- 
tally from the roots. It flourishes best where the land 
is under water during a part of the year, notably in the 
neighbourhood of rivers that overflow at stated periods. 
Under favourable conditions the jipocynum develops 
quickly, and in a short time the branches form a thick 
growth, almost like a miniature wood. The best fibre 
is obtained by cutting the branches in midsummer, 
when the plant has obtained its full growth, The 
attention of the Russian Government was called to 
this plant in 1891. It is there known as the Apocy- 
num sibericum, because it was first seen in Siberia. It 
grows luxuriantly on the banks of the Amu-Darya, and 
the Hi, and the natives of the regions have used the 
fibre for many years for cord and fish nets, They 
value it not only for its great strength, but also because 
no care is required in its cultivation. In 189.5 the Rus- 
sian Government began to use it in the manufacture 
of bank notes, and since then the plant has been 
cultivated at Poltava. The results obtained thus far 
are considered excellent, and the time is doubtlpss near 
when the Ajiocynum vcneturn will take an important 
plac6 in tbe textile market, — Commercial Intelligence. 
MINOR PRODUCTS REPORT. 
London, January 4. 
CiNCH0N.\. — The Nederlandsche Veen cinchona bark 
department at Amsterdam report that the shipments 
from Java to Europe were as follows : — 
Amstsrdamlb., December-- 
1899 1S98 1897 1896 1895 
G26,OUO 1,018,000 731,000 890,000 (534,000 
January- December — 
1899 1898 1697 1896 1695 
11,409,800 11,1.5(1,000 8,437.000 10,079,000 8.827,700 
The exports Irom Ceylon for the week ending Decem- 
ber 12th were 1,137 pounds only. 
CiTBONELXA OiL.— At the close of last week 
ljUiiness was done ton-lots at lOJd to lid per 
pOund, c, i. f., and at lOJd landed terms, in large 
(jrums. 
Quinine has improved to the extent of half pence 
per ounce in second-hand in consequence of small 
bark shipments from Java {during December. With 
the exception of sales on Tuesday, when abont 
150,000 ounces changed hands at Is 3|d to Is 3-^d 
spot and Is 3|d to Is 4d for March, the market has 
been quiet, alid on Wednesday prices were a shade 
weaker. Today a good business has been done at 
Is 3Jd to Is 4d for March di-livcry. 
There were no exports of .Java quinine from 
JBatavia during October ; from July 1st to October 
31st, 1899, the shipments have been 562 eases against 
499 cases. — Chemist and Druggist, Ja^n. (i. 
USES OF THE EUCALYPTUS. 
Mr. L. F. Woolrych, of Cooma writes: — It 
has struck me that a few notes on some of 
the uses to which different parts of the varions 
eacalyptus trees are put v.'ould be of interest. 
The eucalyptus family is truly to the Australian 
what the palm is to the Eastern peoples, spread 
as it is all over the continent and always within 
reach. In Europe itis a common belief that the trees 
of our forests throw no sha^e, but for shade and shelter 
purposes many of them are invaluable, as well as 
for their beneficial effect in connection with miasma 
arising from swampy ground. In New Caledonia the 
ti-tree (^Melaleuca) is planted for the latter purpose. 
Then the young leaves may be used for poultices, 
or as sticking-plaster, which will only wear off. One 
variety (E. obliquo.) called here stringybark, will 
provide the selector's fence, gates, slabs for house 
and baik for the roof, as well as firewood. The' 
fluffy part of the bark is splendid for kindling pur- 
poses, and t'ne inner bark makes excellent ropes, ties 
and make-shift harness. The bark will also make 
good pipes for carrying water. The gum is often 
used as a medicine for sick fowLs, and is also a good 
bush remedy for desentery, as old bashmen have 
told me frequently ; and it makes a good varnish 
when dissolved in spirits of wine. The honey from 
the eucalypti is, if used in quantity, said to be a 
violent purgative, but if consumed in the ordinary 
way is a mild aperient. In fact one might go on for 
a Ions time before the list of uses to which these 
valueable trees can be -pat would be e.'ihausted. 
Prom the Agriculturai Gazette, of New South 
Wales. 

Cinchona. — In a specially translated article 
by Dr. L P Lot,?ii, Dutch Uovernment liotanisfc 
in Java, published in our issue of January 
6th, on the localisation of alkaloid in cinchona 
plant, the conclusion was arrived at tliat tlie 
alkaloid was not contained in the sieve vessels 
but in the parencliyraa ; in tlie younger parts, 
in solution in the cell sap; "and in the 
older parts in an amorphou« solid condition. — 
British and Colonial Druggist, Dec. 29. 
