Unfortunately for Tahu, following WWII to China, the chemical industry developed a number of substitutes for Citronella oil and camphor. At the same time, in yet another blow to the local economy, the silkworm industry went into decline.
光復前後，化學工業發達，發明瞭許多取代香茅油及樟腦的產品，同時，養蠶事業也逐漸沒落，大湖的經濟因此大受影響。