70 TIMHER PINES OF THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES. 



without distinction, no figures can be given of its annual consumption, nor is it possible to form 

 even an a])proximatc (vstiniate of the standing supplies. The old tinilicr jiocs, of cmrse, as fast 

 as that of the Longleaf I'ine, but in its reproduction it outstrips the latter. Wherever in the 

 coast plain the original growth of the Lougleaf Pine has been removed, the Cuban Pine takes, in a 

 great measure, possession of the ground, in some localities associated with the Loblolly Pine. 

 Young forests in every stage of growth are seen covering tractts of greater or lesser extent, 

 promising imiwrtant supplies of resinous products, timber, and fuel. 



PKODUCTS. 



As a timber tree the Ouban Pine is little inferior to the Longleaf Pine. It furnishes sticks of 

 larg<' dinu^nsions free from blemish, rivaling in that respect that superior variety of the Loblolly 

 Pine called Itosemary Pine, and there is no doubt that it was often confounded with this tree in 

 the shipitients of masts and long si)ars made in former years from the southern Atlantic and eastern 

 (rulf ports. In the lumber mills on the Atlantic Coast the timber of this tree is indiscriminately 

 sawn and shipped with that of the Longleaf Pine. 



It remains yet to be proved whether the coarser structure of the wood of the Cuban I'ine 

 would render it less durable. It is certain, however, that this very cause, which might interfere 

 with its resistance to atmospheric influences or to contact with the soil, will be found an advantage 

 if the preservation of the timber is to bo secured by its impregnation with antiseptic solutions, 

 more open structure permitting readier infiltration. 



licsinous ]n-()(lucts.^This pine iibounds in resinous matter. The oleoresin, resin, or crude 

 turpentine, when freshly exuded, is perfectly limpid, of honey-yellow color, less viscid than the 

 resinous [n-oduct of the Longleaf Pine, and to all appearances richer in volatile oil or spirits of 

 turpentine. Judging by the smaller amountof hard gum or scrape formed on the tree. A sam])leof 

 the dip of the first year from South Carolina was to all appearance exposed for a short time in the 

 box to atmosiiheric influences. Examined by Prof. E. Kremers, University of AMsconsin, the resin 

 showed an emulsion-like appearau(;e and separated upon standing into heavier grannies aiul into a 

 lighter, transjjarent, yellowish liquid. Its specific gravity at 20° C. was found 1.02.53. D=32.42.3o 

 (determined in 1C.2G p(^r cent alcoholic solution). Distilled with water, the sanijile yielded 10 per 

 cent of oil of the specific gravity 0.865 (20° C). I) =9.020. 



In view of the rapid destruction of the forests of Longleaf I'ine, the princijjal source of resin, 

 the future importance of the Cuban Pine in the production of naval stores becomes at once 

 apparent, esi)ecially when it is considered that it reproduces itself so much more readily. Even 

 now, on the coast of South (lai'olina and (rcorgia, a large jn'oportion of resinous proilucts is derived 

 from the young growth of this pine, which, after the removal of the original timber growth, took 

 pos.session of the ground. It is claimed by the turpentine gatherers in these States that at an age 

 of from thirty to forty years the trees are sniliciently large for tapping with advantage, and that 

 protected against lire a spontaneous renewal takes place, and after a period of forty years the new 

 crop is ready for profitable exploitation. 



In Washington (bounty, Ala., on the more or less extensive Hats that intervene between the 

 low ridges covered with Longleaf Pine, the Cuban Pine furnishes considerable sni)i)lies of ('rude 

 turpentine of superior (piality. In this .section liie tree is known mi(ltr the name of Spruce I'ine, 

 a misnomer, leading to its confusion with an entirely difi'erent tree, tin! true Southern Spruce Pine 

 (I'inun (jhibrii). 



CLASSIFICATION AND NOMENCLATUUK. 



I'iiiiix lictiropln/Ud is closely allied to tln^ Longleaf Pine, forming witli this and two other species 

 inhaiiiting the nearcist troi)ical I'cgions— (3uba and Mexico— lunler the subgenus ])iiiaster, a natural 

 group of trees with heavy resinous wood, rigid long leaves from two to live in a sheath, and 

 subterminal or lateral, horizontal or reflexed cones, designated by Englemann as the group of the 

 Enanstrales, or loiigh^af [)ines. l<"'irst distinguished by Elliott as I'linix tivdti ww.hitcrophjiJIit ami 

 remaining subse(|uently unknown for more than fifty years, the specific characters of this [)ine were 

 first recognized and fnlly described by Dr. Engelmann. who in honor of its discoverer ilistingnished 

 the tree under the name of rinm olliotlii, finding himself soon afterwards couviueed of the identity 



