The herald., 1897-09-25
The Cultivation of Canaiqre
Being Overdone
GERMAN MARKET SUPPLIED
COMPETITION FROM BETTER
ACID-PRoDUCING PLANTS
The State Board of Trade Warns
Small Farmers Against Grow
ing Canaigre at Present

retary of the state board of trade, t
the chamber of commerce. on the sub
Ject of canaigre cultivation throws colo
water upon the hopes of many a small
farmer. Mr.. Filcher, who has evidently
studied UP the subject thoroughly, says
Il note thai quite number of ouI
California farmers have become inter-
ested during the last few years in the
subject OF caraigre. They have beer
led to believe that the demand for this
product in Germany is brisk, and that
the tanners of that country will take al
a profit to the grower all we can send
them. The comments of the press of
this state have led the people to be-
lieve that this is the situa ton. While
on the other side of the water 1 took
occasion to investigate this subject, and
particularly the prospective demand for
canaigre in Germany. I learned, some
what to my sorrow, that while the de-
mand there has been brisk and prices
good, such is not the case at present.
applied for information on the subject
to one of the largest importers of can
aigr~ in Hamburg and he was kind
enough to write me report on the sub
ject, which I append for your benefit
and the benefit Of those who have gone,
into the business, as follows:
"'This article was introduced here and
in England first in 1898 from New Mexico
or Mexico. The Introduction into our
continental market was pushed in the
most energetic manner. The Tanning
Gazette brought the analysis and long
articles about the superiority of this
new tanning material, and it is un-
deDiable that for fine feathers the tan
ming qualities Of the caraigre are real
ly very good. The first sales of the
roots (shipped and dried) were
made at about is to 20 marks per 100
kilos in warehouse here, but very soon
tanners refused to continue paying
these prices, which were considered
much too high. Canaigre contains much
less tanning acid than dividivi, quebra-
cho. myrabolanen, volonea, etc., ard
ought therefore to be cheaper than these
better articles Business in canaigre
came consequently to stop. What lit
lie had arrived here was gradually sold
In England there may still be about $50
tons for which pounds and 10 shillirgs
was bid. But pounds and 10 shillings
per ton was asked Five pounds and 10
my English friends say, is
about the expense on freight, storage,
etc. on the stuff. and they did not want
20 sell cheaper as they desired to cover
at least their actual expenses. More
han 4 pounds and 10 shillings was, how
sver. not obtained in Germany, and,
therefore. suppose that canaigre is not
an article which your California people
will be able to ship to Europe with a
view of making money on it. can only
,anaigre provided price of pounds
and 10 shillings per ton, or 9 marks per
LOO kilos eff. (cost, insurance and
reighD Hamburg net cash will not pay
you.
Bulky articles of little value cannot
stand the expense Of 50 long voyage
As from California to Germany. Should
It be possible to make an extract of the
canaigre roots and to ship the tanning
acid contained in the roots In the form
IF extracts 1t would be quite different.
From Argentine a large business is
lone in quebracho extract. Who knows
California may not ship canal
gre extract?
The articles that are driving canaigre
to the wall in Germany are dividivi from
Venezuela and Maricaibo, quebracho
from Argentina, myrabolanen. from
India (Bombay) and volonea from Asia
Minor.
My. reason for sending you this in
is because I have been led
to believe that there is more canaigre
being planted in Southern California
than any other part of the state, and it
IS only right that your people engaged
n this business should know the situa-
ton in regard to the prospective demand
'or this product. Besides, our people
Ill over the state who have been led to
believe that there is profit in this prod
lct ought to be made aware Of the true
'P. 81 may mention that a mark is
about equal to rs cents and. that 100 kilos
are equal to 220 American pounds"
Just on top of this warning letter
from Mr.. Filcher. Secretary Virgins re-
ceived an inquiry from New York, from
people representing English investors.
regarding canaigre and the quantity
and quality produced in California.