CAMPHOR. oo 
According to a paper read by Professor Maisch at the meeting 
of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in October 1890%*, the 
camphor-tree is being cultivated successfully in Florida. It 
seems to flourish in almost any soil and the tree grows rapidly. 
It is believed that in ten years there will be more camphor-trees 
than orange-trees in Florida, and that the camphor industry will 
prove to be more profitable than that of sugar. The camphor 
obtained from Florida trees approaches more nearly to that of 
Japan than to Chinese camphor, since the odour of safrol is 
distinctly recognizable. 
Attention to this industry has since been called by the American 
Pharmaceutical Association, and further statements in reference 
to this subject were made f. ‘ Messrs. Beach and Son for some 
time have been experimenting at Palatka, Florida, and from them 
is gathered some interesting information :—For the growth of the 
camphor-tree the preparation of the soil is very easy and simple, 
the tree growing with very little care after first starting. All 
timber should be cut and piled, not burned, and left to rot on the 
ground. The soil is thoroughly grubbed where the tree is to 
stand. The tree is planted and carefully staked to prevent the 
wind from swaying it when it is first set. For three or four years 
the ground should be carefully worked around the trees and kept 
clean, the growth of timber being kept down and grubbed out, 
but after this time the tree will take care of itself. The first 
trimming of the camphor-tree is to a sufficient height for the body 
of the tree; after that thin out the top and shear off the outside 
of the top, as the young wood is the most productive of camphor.” 
The yield of camphor obtained in this experimental plantation 
is said to be as much as four per cent., 7. e. 1 lb. of crude camphor 
from 25 lbs. of boughs and leaves. <A still of the very simplest 
description is used; the condenser is a straight pipe, running 
horizontally through a trough of water ; the camphor sublimes on 
the inner surface of the condenser and is afterwards got out by 
standing the pipe on end and tapping the sides. A little water 
is put into the still with the wood and leaves to prevent burning. 
Common camphor as it arrives in England contains from 2 to 
10 per cent. of impurities, consisting of gypsum, common salt, 
sulphur, and fragments of vegetable refuse. 
* Am. Journ, Pharm., Nov. 1890, p. 565. 
+ Pharmaceutical Era, June 1, 1891. 
