Georgia, and Alabama, the former State being the largest producer of turpentine. From the loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), turpentine is also obtained.

In winter, which extends from November to March, gangs of men proceed to the forests for the purpose of collecting the resin; for this purpose the trees are boxed, that is, a cavity is cut into the side of the tree, about 1 foot from the ground; the boxes have a capacity of about 2 or 3 pints. Sometimes 3 boxes will be made in a tree, but care is taken not to touch the heartwood, as such a proceeding would certainly kill the tree. The upper part of the box is always kept free from resin, and is frequently chipped so as to expose fresh surfaces of wood, which causes the resin to flow more freely. About March, the sap begins to flow and to collect in the box and on the sides of the cut surface, that which collects in the box is called "dip," and that which collects on the sides is known as "scrape." That which collects the first year in a box is known as "virgin dip," and is always collected separately. The crude resin is known commercially as "gum thus," and is exported for use in making varnishes. Most of the resin is, however, treated locally for turpentine and rosin, although it would be better to send it to some large works for treatment.

Mr. J. C. Schuler has improved the extraction of the turpentine from the trees. In place of cutting a "box" in the tree (which results in the death of the tree), he faces the tree with glazed earthenware cups in which the resin collects. The life of the tree is thereby preserved, while there is a greater yield of resin, usually one-fourth more, and there is no loss by dipping as in the old system. The resin also yields about one-fifth more turpentine and more rosin, which is moreover of a better grade than that obtained from the old system. The yield from resin collected under the old system is usually 100 gallons of turpentine and 10 "weight" barrels of resin from 500 gallons of crude resin. From the same weight of crude resin collected in the cups 125 gallons of turpentine and 14 "weight" barrels of rosin are obtained. It may be mentioned that Schuler places a little water in the cups; the rosin being slightly heavier sinks under this and so loss by evaporation is prevented.

The wasteful system which has hitherto been pursued in the turpentine districts of North America of practically destroying the trees is now beginning to result in the pine forests becoming too limited in extent to yield the full amount of resin

required for the production of turpentine, and unless some change comes about the forests will be entirely destroyed. The only remedy is to adopt some such plan of extracting the resin as that of Mr. Schuler in conjunction with that of re-planting the forests with trees in a systematic manner and this undoubtedly will be done in the future, and it must be done if the supply of turpentine and rosin is to be maintained to supply the demand which exists.

The system of distilling of the crude resin at present carried on is of a crude and imperfect character, and a better one is desirable, so that a larger yield of more valuable products can be obtained.

It may be noted here that attention should be paid in the collecting of the resin to avoid the inclusion of vegetable matter, dirt, &c., the presence of which has a material effect on the quality of the rosin which is made from it.

Turpentine is obtained from the crude resin by placing it in a still; into this still passes a steam pipe from a steam boiler, while out of it passes a pipe in connection with a worm condenser; a manhole on the top serves for the purpose of filling the still, while a large pipe at the bottom serves to run off the residual rosin. The still is built into a suitable furnace, so that it can be heated by fire. When sufficient resin has been placed in the still the fire is lighted, and when the temperature has attained a little above the boiling point of water, the current of steam from the boiler is sent in; the turpentine passes over into the worm condenser and condenses along with water from the steam; when no more turpentine comes over, the rosin left in the still is run off into barrels, when the still is ready for another charge. The turpentine is often purified by a second distillation. The appliances in use are generally of a crude description

The properties of American turpentine will be dealt with shortly.

French Turpentine.-This variety is obtained from the maritime pine (Pinus maritima), which grows very extensively in the South-west of France, especially in the Departments of Landes and Gironde. The industry in these districts is conducted on a rather more scientific principle than in America. The trees are cut in February or March, and the sap is caused to flow into an earthenware vessel placed at the foot of the tree. The trees are tapped for five years in succession, when they are not touched for a few years, and then tapping commences again; when the tree has got somewhat exhausted,

the final tapping takes place, and a large yield of resin obtained, but the tree is killed. It is felled, and another planted in its place.

The distillation of the crude resin is carried on in the plant shown in Fig. 72, which is a front view or section of, and Fig. 73, which is a side view or section of the plant. A is a boiler heated by means of a steam coil, or (as shown in the drawing) by means of a fire, the former method being preferable; in this, the crude resin is heated to a temperature of 96° C. (194° F.), when it becomes liquid. The boiler is fitted with a movable cover to prevent the easy escape of turpentine and the entrance of dirt. When the resin is melted, it is run into the tank, B, through a pipe; the particles of woody tissue, dirt, &c., are deposited in this tank, as also in the boiler, A. From the tank, B, the melted resin is run into a tank, C, which holus the quantity usually treated at one time (about 66 gallons); this tank is, therefore, a measuring tank, from this it runs through the pipe, b, into the still, D, which has the form shown; into this passes a steam coil, by which steam from an ordinary steam boiler can be sent into the still. An opening near the bottom of the still (which is kept plugged during the time the turpentine is being distilled), permits of the rosin being run off. E is an ordinary worm condenser fitted into a tub through which cold water is continually passing; with this worm condenser the still is connected by means of a goose neck (shown in the drawing).

The crude resin is placed in the still, 66 gallons being the usual charge; it is then heated by fire until a temperature of 135° C. (275° F.), is attained; when a current of steam is passed into the still, turpentine begins to come over and to condense along with the water from the steam in the worm condenser, the condensed products passing into a suitable receptacle, in which the water gradually settles to the bottom, while the turpentine rises to the surface; the latter is skimmed off and run into other narrow-mouthed vessels, in which it is allowed to stand for several days, during which the remaining water and other impurities settle out. The yield of turpentine is rather more than one-fifth that of the crude resin employed.

When all the turpentine has been distilled over, the residue in the still is run first into a tank, F, and from thence into a revolving screen, G, through which it flows in a fairly clear condition free from dirt and grit of any kind. By this means,