170  Cardamom  and  Oil  of  Cardamom.  {A%fr™^9i5arm' 
tical  chemist  can  differentiate  between  a  pure  product  and  an  adul- 
terated one ;  also  between  the  several  varieties. 
"  I  would  also  add  that  the  cultivation  of  cardamom  seed  has 
increased  enormously  of  late,  especially  in  Ceylon,  and  there  will 
be  no  trouble  in  supplying  any  reasonable  quantity  that  the  trade 
demands." — P.  C.  Magnus. 
"  Oil  Cardamom. — This  oil  has  been  sold  more  or  less  for 
medicinal  and  flavoring  purposes,  and  while  we  do  not  know  its 
consumption,  we  think  that  it  is  becoming  an  article  of  better  demand 
and  should  be  recognized  officially,  as  it  is  prepared  in  sufficient 
quantities  that  it  can  always  be  obtained.  We  have  not  noticed 
any  difference  in  the  keeping  quality  of  this  oil  and  we  do  not  see 
any  reason  of  any  change  in  the  character  of  this  oil  or  a  good  many 
other  oils,  provided  they  are  absolutely  pure. 
"  The  following  report  of  analysis  of  sample  of  oil  of  cardamom 
of  our  own  distillation  is  submitted : 
"  Specific  gravity  at  150  C  9378 
Specific  gravity  at  25  0  C  9320 
Soluble  in  4  vol.  of  70  per  cent,  alcohol. 
Optical  rotation  at  25 0  C   +  29°  3°' 
Saponification  number   126.5" 
— American  Branch  of  Antoine  Chiris. 
"  We  have  manufactured  the  article  regularly  for  many  years 
and  in  relatively  a  large  way,  the  principal  outlet  for  it  being  among 
manufacturers  of  high  grade  pharmaceutical  preparations  who 
presumably  employ  it  as  a  flavoring  agent  in  some  of  their  com- 
pounded specialties.  We  do  not  class  it  among  the  especially  sensi- 
tive oils  and  are  quite  certain  that  we  have  never  had  any  spoil  on 
our  hands,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  under  favorable  conditions 
in  respect  of  the  raw  material  we  sometimes  manufacture  ahead 
enough  stock  to  last  several  years.  Your  first  specific  question  as 
to  whether  the  oil  is  prepared  in  sufficient  quantity  to  be  obtainable 
at  all  times  we  answer  positively  in  the  affirmative.  We  are  always 
in  position  to  supply  the  article  of  the  very  finest  quality  and  in 
perfect  condition. 
"  Your  second  question  we  have  already  answered  substantially 
and  we  will  add  only  that  oil  cardamom  cannot  be  considered  in 
