THE MUSEUM. 



171 



"we require unquestionable evidence of 

 malicious intent. If there is any 

 doubt it's best to publish both sides or 

 nothing. 



Recent Publications- 

 Circular No. 12. issued by the Division of 

 Botany of the United States Department of 

 Agriculture, says Garden and Forest, de- 

 scribes the conditions of successful cultiva- 

 tion of the Camphor-tree, Cinnamoinum cam- 

 phora, the uses of the tree and its pro- 

 ducts, and contains other interesting particu- 

 lars. This broad-leaved evergreen is related 

 to the Red Bay and to the Sassafras in the 

 United States, and in general habits resem- 

 bles the Basswood. In the coast countries of 

 eastern Asia it attains a height of from sixty 

 to one hundred feet and a trunk measurement 

 of from twenty to forty inches in diameter. 

 In Japan the law requires that a new tree be 

 set out for every one cut. It is stated that 

 the northern limits in the United States 

 -where this tree has been grown successfully 

 out-ofdoors are Charleston and Sommerville 

 in South Carolina; Augusta, Georgia; and 

 Oakland, California. In the southern cities 

 named the trees have withstood a tempera- 

 ture of fifteen degrees, Fahrenheit, but they 

 were protected by surrounding trees and 

 buildings. At Mobile, Alabama, they have 

 grown and fruited in protected situations, 

 while in exposed places they have been re- 

 peatedly destroyed by frosts. They will grow 

 in almost any soil that is not too wet, but do 

 best on a well-drained sandy or loamy soil, 

 and respond to fertilizers. While of compar- 

 atively slow growth on sterile soil, the trees 

 grow very rapidly under favorable condi- 

 tions. An exceptional instance is recorded 

 of a Camphor-tree in Italy which in eight 

 years from the seed measured one foot in di- 

 ameter at the base and thirty feet in height 

 may be expected in trees ten years from the 

 seed under favorable conditions. Besides the 

 familiar u.»o of camphor gum to protect furs 

 and woolens against insects, this gum is used 

 extensively in medicine. Camphor oil, which 

 is somewhat similar to turpentine, in Japan 

 enters into lacquer work, and it is also used 

 in the manufacture of toilet soaps. The yel- 

 low wood is of close grain and is susceptible 

 of polish, taking a satin-like finish; this is 

 particularly valuable in cabinet-work, espec- 

 ially for drawers, chests and cupboards, be- 

 ing proof against insebts. The tree produces 



an abundance of berry like fruits, which in 

 China and Japan are used to make a kind of 

 tallow; these are also a favorite food of chick- 

 ens and birds. Besides these commercial 

 uses, the tree has value for ornamental plant- 

 ing, and has been extensively introduced into 

 southern Europe and South America for this 

 purpose. For successful cultivation the min- 

 imum temperature must not be lower than 

 twenty degrees, Fahrenheit, and this inter- 

 esting circular suggests that it is hoped by 

 continued selection of seeds from the most 

 hardy trees plants may be bred up to endtire 

 more cold. Camphor of good quality has 

 been produced in Florida from the leaves and 

 twigs of trees less than twenty years old, one 

 pound of crude gum being obtained from 

 seventy-seven pounds of leaves and twigs. 

 One-third of the leaves and young shoots may 

 be removed at one time without materially 

 checking the growth of the tree. The older 

 and larger roots yield the largest proportion 

 of camphor; the trunk, limbs, twigs and 

 leaves contain successively a decreasing pro- 

 portion. Present methods of distillation are 

 here described and improvements suggested. 

 Within the past ten years there has been an 

 increase in importations of retined camphor 

 in the United States and a decrease in im- 

 portations of the crude product, notwith- 

 standing the former is dutiable while the lat- 

 ter is admitted free. Improved methods of 

 retining and packing in Japan and a reduced 

 tariff rate account for this change. In 1887 

 there were imported 3,873,184 pounds of 

 crude camphor, valued at $352,861, and in 

 189U but 943,20.'5 pounds, valued at $328,457. 

 In 1887 only 307 pounds of refined camphor, 

 valued at $45, came into this country, while 

 in 1896 153,913 pounds were admitted, worth 

 $68,785. These figures show that the price of 

 the refined and the unrefined product has in- 

 creased three-fold in this period, and that the 

 consumption of camphor in this country as 

 measured by importations, has been decreas- 

 ing. This decrease is attributed to exhaust- 

 ion of the supply of available Camphor-trees 

 near the shipping posts, governmental re- 

 strictions on the trade in camphor in For- 

 mosa, disturbances in the camphor-producing 

 district of China, the (_^hinaJapan war, and 

 attempts by speculators to corner the market. 

 The increase in the price of oami)h()r has led 

 to the introduction of substitutes, and cam- 

 phor has been manufactured artificially at a 

 cost which leaves a margin of profit at pres- 

 ent prices. The conclusion is that if the pro- 

 duction of camphor from trees is to be car- 

 ried on with profit in this coun ry and the 

 industry increased to any considerable extent 

 the price of camphor must be reduced to 

 compete with the prices of substitutes now 

 taking its place. 



