36 THE ALUMNI JOURNAL 



of crude camphor are estimated to be still in sight. At present they 

 are operating mainly in the Toen section, and in 1907, Japan hopes to 

 bring to market about seven million pounds of crude camphor and 

 about half this amount of camphor oil. 



There are two kinds of trees that are gathered by the natives — one 

 yields camphor mainly, and the other mainly oil of camphor. It is 

 planned to let the trees planted on the mountains stand fifty years 

 before chopping them down, while those planted in the valleys are to 

 be immolated after ten years. 



At Taihoku on Formosa all the crude camphor distilled all over the 

 island by the natives is gathered and re-distilled, so as to obtain a uni- 

 form product for export. They make two varieties — one, "B," mainly 

 exported to the United States as crude camphor, is richer in camphor 

 oil and water, while the other, "BB," more nearly approximates refined 

 camphor. Everybody has been getting "B" camphor for some time, 

 as the "BB" refining plant burned down. Whatever is not exported as 

 crude is sent to Kobo, in Japan, where it is refined and exported as 

 "Japanese refined camphor." 



Japan fears no competition in camphor, so she says, notably not from 

 China or Florida, Mexico, Ceylon, or Texas. She also thinks synthetic 

 camphor is an idle dream, although she has used her legations and 

 consuls to endeavor to uncover how it is made and catch some one 

 unprepared. She maintains that turpentine will give out as soon as 

 camphor. It will unless our Uncle Sam puts an end to the ruthless 

 destruction of pine trees in this country, and either prevents their de- 

 struction or compels every turpentine-hunting cracker to plant five 

 trees for every one he cuts down. 



In China the refineries are at Foochovv, where about twenty are busy 

 making camphor. In order to protect the camphor forests, which arc 

 being exterminated, just as were the turpentine forests the Viceroy of 

 Foochow has placed a tax of 76 cents for every 100 pounds of camphor 

 made and 28 cents for every 100 pounds of camphor oil. This money 

 he is supposed to use to replant and care for young trees. In 1906 

 China produced 1,516,600 pounds of camphor and 425,000 pounds of 

 camphor oil. 



Japan and China together produce about ten million pounds of cani- 

 phor, of which two and one-quarter million is said to be exported to 

 Germany. The "B" quality of crude camphor brings about 53 centi a 

 pound, f.o.b. New York. The Japanese government pays only about 

 12 cents a pound for what it buys from the gatherers and distillers. 



Of the camphor produced, about 70 per cent, is used for celluloio, 

 and the prices which celluloid manufacturers must pay to the Japanese 



