A TREE THAT PRODUCES SOAP 



As a relatively new member of the American tree 

 family the Soap-nut, Sapiiidiis utilis, is entitled to 

 friendly consideration. Originally the tree came 

 to this country from China. The first importation was 

 made into I^Morida by Rev. Benjamin Helm, who brought 

 some of the seeds from the Orient more than 30 years 

 ago. From these seeds only one fully developed tree is in 

 existence and for many 

 years the owner of this one 

 had no thought that his 

 tree produced anything of 

 value. 



It was in 1905 that 

 American attention was 

 first attracted to the soap- 

 nut tree as a tree of import- 

 ance in the matter of nut 

 bearing. At that time there 

 was published a report on 

 the economic value of the 

 tree prepared by United 

 States Consul Kedder at 

 Algiers. This report made 

 possible the real develop- 

 ment of soap-nut cultiva- 

 tion in America. Its jnib- 

 lication was followed by 

 generous importation of 

 the seeds from Algiers, ar- 

 ranged by E. Moulie, who 

 now lives in San Diego. 

 Cal., and who had been in- 

 strumental in instigating 

 Consul Kedder to make an 

 investigation and report. 

 The seeds imported by Mr. 

 Moulie were distributed free of charge to people who 

 showed such interest as to indicate that the planting 

 and cultivation would be done with care. In addition to 

 making the importation of seeds Mr. Moulie has made it 

 a practice to buy every year practically the entire crop of 

 seeds from the original American tree, and these have 

 been distributed broadcast. He estimates that as a re- 



sult of these gifts there are now 500,000 soap-nut trees 

 growing in Florida alone, and large numbers in other 

 Southern States and in 19 foreign countries to which he 

 sent seeds. 



The planting and cultivation of these trees attracted 

 widespread attention and the Department of Agriculture 

 made some importations from China, materially in- 

 creasing the number of 

 trees planted in the United 

 States. 



Several important uses 

 are attributed to the prod- 

 uct of the soap-nut tree. 

 The hull of the nut supplies 

 raw material for the manu- 

 facture of soap and other 

 articles which require an 

 ingredient with sapona- 

 ceous ]jroperties. This ma- 

 terial may even be used as 

 soap without compounding. 

 By shredding the hull and 

 using it with water as if it 

 were soap, a ])erfect lather 

 IS readily obtained and 

 some authorities state that 

 the cleansing qualities are 

 superior to manufactured 

 soaps. The extract's efifi- 

 ciency as a foam producer 

 makes it useful as an ingre- 

 dient in carbonated bev- 

 erages. The kernel yields 

 a fixed oil, which some say 

 for culinary purposes is 

 equal to olive oil. Some 

 therapeutic value is also attributed to the nuts. 



The wood of the tree is close grained, takes a good 

 polish, and is said to be well adapted for furniture 

 making. The tree grows to a height of 50 feet. It is not 

 e.x])ected that it will be used for its timber, however, as 

 the yield of nuts is said to be from $10 to $20 a year for 

 each tree. The tree begins bearing at six years of age. 



THE FRUIT OF THE SOAP-NUT TREE. 

 From the hull of the nut is procured raw material for the manufacture of 

 soap. The material may be used without compounding, as it makes a per- 

 fect latlicr. It is also useful for making beverages which require foam. 



rpHE tremendous demand for forest products of all 

 -'- kinds which the war has created will by no means 

 terminate with the cessation of hostilities. The recon- 

 struction of Belgium and northern France will draw 

 heavily upon the forests of the United States. The 

 action of the Federal Government and the large lumber 

 producers in the United States in sending Federal 

 Trade Commissioners abroad for the purpose of study- 

 ing export markets makes the future in the lumber bus- 

 iness appear extremely bright. Authorities are pre- 

 dicting an increased demand for trained foresters dur- 

 ing the next decade inasmuch as many phases of forest 

 utilization are now demanding expert training which 

 the trade did not require in the past. 



nPHAT there is enough fuel wood in Indiana forests 

 going to waste to run every heating and cooking 

 stove in the state for a year is declared by the Indiana 

 State Board of Forestry. The board argues that the 

 fuel value of a cord of good beech, sugar or hickory 

 wood equals that of a ton of soft coal, that the average 

 price of wood is about half that of coal and that people 

 pay double price for the luxury of burning coal. 

 Owners of woodlots are advised that to remove the 

 dead, dying and weed-trees will not only furnish a vast 

 supply of fuel but will be of distinct advantage to the 

 remaining trees. Municipal woodpiles are being advo- 

 cated, to be supplied with fuel which could be obtained 

 from woodlot owners for the cutting. 



