96 FOREST commissioner's REPORT. 



does not demand a deep, rich soil, but will grow well in a fresh, 

 moderately porous soil, whether fertile or not, and will thrive 

 in comparatively dry situations. The timber is light, soft, non- 

 resinous, and fairly durable. It works well, splits easily, and 

 seasons without serious warping. Abroad it is used largely 

 for construction purposes and paper pulp. 



Spruce Cum. 



It has been estimated by men closely connected with the 

 business, that about 150 tons of crude spruce gum, valued at 

 $300,000, are gathered annually in Maine. There are about 100 

 professional gum gatherers, and 900 occasional ones. The 

 most favorable season for collecting the gum is from Septem- 

 ber I to June I. It is said that all three species of spruce 

 yield gum, but it is probable that most of the supply comes 

 from red spruce. Crude gum is worth from 12 1-2 cents to $4 

 a pound. That which brings only 12 1-2 cents is the scrap, 

 which consists of gum and bark not separated. A gra:de which 

 sells at 75 cents a pound is largely used for medicines, such as 

 cough sirups. The higher grades are cleaned, and find their 

 way into drug stores to be sold as chewing gum. Druggists 

 often buy their supplies directly from tbe collectors. The scrap 

 is put through a steam process which separates the bark from 

 the gum, and the gum is later put up in small blocks, wrapped 

 in tissue, and sold as chewing gum. New York and the New 

 England States constitute the principal markets for this prod- 

 uct. The gum does not exude from trees until the trunk has 

 been injured, but intentional bruises seldom produce a flow. 

 Some men claim to know how to wound a tree in order to 

 secure a flow. It would seem that possession of such knowl- 

 edge might be utilized in the establishment and working of gum 

 orchards similar to turpentine orchards in the South. 



Balsam Pir. 



Balsam fir is a medium sized tree found throughout the 

 northern white pine region. It is a rapid grower, preferring 

 cold, damp woods and swamps, and is valuable as undergrowth, 

 as a nurse tree, or for planting in poorly-drained situations un- 

 suited for other species. Balsam is commonly milled by oper- 



