43<5 
THE TROEICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
[Dec. I, 1897. 
important of these : — On submitting the oils to steam- 
distillation considerable differences were observed. In 
the case of oils of the second class practically the 
whole readily passed over, whereas those of the first 
class gave a residue amounting to about 37 per cent, 
of the total quantity. This behaviour would suggest 
that the oils of the English firms are steam-distilled, 
while those prepared by the natives are obtained by 
fire heat. The residue, after purification, distilled 
between 245° and 280° 0. at ordinary pressure, and 
had a high specific gravity. It is stated to possess 
all the characters of a sesquiterpene, but differs in 
physical properties from any previously-described 
bodies of that class. It is odourless and therefore 
a valueless constituent of the oil, and as it is only 
fairly soluble in alcohol, it affects the solubility in 
that liquid. Its high specific gravity accounts for 
the differences shown by the two classes in this 
respect, but as it is optically inactive its presence 
does not explain the higher optical activity of the 
native-distilled oil. To determine the cause of this, 
the first fractions of the oils were examined, in order 
to ascertain the nature of the terpenes present. After 
refractionation the first 6 per cent, of each was col- 
lected. In the case of the native-distilled oils this 
boiled below 170° C., and had a rotation of - 42° in 
a tube of 100 m.m., its specific gravity was 859 at 
15° C. These characters do not correspond with 
camphene, the only optically active terpene hitherto 
found in citronella oil, and, by acetylation and sub- 
sequent saponification, camphene was proved to be 
almost entirely absent. The corresponding fraction of 
the oil of the second class had a rotation of only - 11° 
in a tube of 100 m.m., and its boiling point rose to 190° 
C. It was proved to consist chiefly of camphene, the 
active terpene of the former class being absent. There 
can be no doubt, therefore, that the high optical 
activity of the native-distilled oils is due to the presence 
of this terpene, which does not exist in, or has been 
removed from, the oils of the second class. The 
authors conclude from this that the native-distilled oil 
is in no way sophisticated, but is a genuine natural 
oil. Its high specific gravity and rotatory power are 
due to the presence of the above-mentioned ses- 
quiterpene and terpene, which also affect the solubility 
in alcohol, and, by acting as diluents, impair the 
odour value . — Imperial Institute Journal. 
BRAZIL COFFEE NOTES. 
A telegram of the 17th inst. from Cerara says that 
the Baturile coffee crop is expected to be large. 
Dr. Andre Werneck says that at the present cost of 
growing coffee the price of 12$ an arroba does not pay 
expenses. He accordingly suggests that whenever 
the price falls below that rate coffee shall be exempt 
from export duty, which should moreover, he thinks, 
be regulated by a sliding scale when prices are higher. 
‘—Bio News, Oct. 19. 
CEYLON AND INDIAN TEAS. 
An old Ceylon Iriend in London writes again 
to hint at improvement in the ‘ make ” of Ceylon 
teas : — 
“So far as I can understand from tlie brokers 
the Ceylon samples I last sent you were high 
grown teas, but what I wished to impress upon 
the planters was the make of the teas and it 
did not matter one fig whether they were high 
or low. Any one would observe the superior 
finish of the Indian teas and it a very excep- 
tional thing to see Indians manufactured like the 
undesirable teas I sent. I must say I think 
Ceylon people are not inclined to take sugges- 
tions that would result to their ow'n benefit. 
Teas of the kind I refer to must be classed with low 
classed teas as they are notsuitable for blending with 
teas well made and an improvementof Id. alb. would 
well repay a little extra care. Of course the 
I^CQsent fositioo of the market blinds then to 
the fact that the present price will not long 
continue and it is only attention to manufacture 
that will keep up their average to a paying point.” 
THE CACAO CANKER— II. 
Shortly after the publication of the last Cir- 
cular in this Series, the reports on specimens 
sent to Kew were recived tlirough the Colonial 
Ottice. These, with the covering letters, are given 
below, with such footnotes as are needed to make 
them more readily intelligible. ■* » » 
[Mr. Chamberlain's letter is simply a form.al 
covering letter in wliich he states no specialist will 
be sent out, in view of what Mr. Thiselton-Dyer 
writes : — 
“I enclose a report upon these specimens, which 
I think leaves little room for doubt that the disease 
is due to a fungus, the growth of which fias been 
promoted by unsuitable methods of cultivation. I 
further enclose a memorandum by the Assistant Di- 
rector as to the remedial measures which the circum- 
stances suggest. With this information before him 
the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Pera- 
deniya, ought to be able to deal w'ith the problem. 
I am not therefore prepared to recommend that a 
specialist should be sent to Ceylon as suggested by 
the Governor.”— Ed. T.A.] 
JlemoraiiJum from the Assistant Director Boyal Gardens 
Keni, to the Director. 
The probability is that the canker in cacao trees in 
Ceylon is caused by a fungus, the nature of which is at 
present imperfectly known. 
2. It is understood that since the attack of the Hclopel- 
tis Antonii some change has taken place in the method of 
cultivating cacao in Ceylon. More shade is used than 
formerly, and the trees are covered in to such an 
extent that the ground underneath is constantly 
kept moist and covered wi h a heavy layer of damp 
dead leaves. There is no definite information in 
regard to the amount of drainage provided. This is 
a vital point. In all damp situations and those 
liable at any time to the lodgment of water during 
heavy rains there should be drains cut two feet or 
more deep between every row of trees. In fact, the 
bottom of the drain should be below the level of 
the feeding roots of the tree. 
3. In Trinidad and Grenada draining cacao has 
lately received considerable attention. Where the 
soil is “ sour ” through accumulated moisture the 
trees have died over considerable areas. The only 
cure for this is deep draining, turning over of the 
soil, and the application of a small quantity of 
lime or other suitable ingredient. 
4. Everywhere young cacao appears to require 
some shade, but the extent to which mature trees 
require shade depends very much on the locality’. 
In Trinidad the trees are usually shaded all over 
the island. In Grenada, on the lather hand, the 
trees have little or no overhanging shade, but are 
usually protected by shelter belts planted or allowed 
to grow on the ridge. 
6. The Ceylon cacao planters would do well (1) 
to examine the drainage of their estates very care- 
fully ; (2) to break up the soil where the trees have 
died and treat it with lime to kill the mycelium* 
in it ; (3) to isolate the healthy trees from the iin- 
healty by deep trenches, and give only the amount 
of shade absolutely necessary. — D. Mobeis. 
Report hi/ Mr. G, Massee, Princij/al Assistant {Crypto- 
gams) in the Herbarium, Royal Gardens, Keio. 
The material sent for examination is insufficient 
for the determination of the fungus, but the exact 
agreement in structure, &c., of the mycelium* pre- 
* The body of a fungus, made up of fine colour- 
less threads, as may he readily seen on ex- 
amination of a piece of mildew or mould with a-goo^ 
lens, 
