TURPENTINE ORCHARDING 443 



basis of the crop or the acre, and usually runs for a three- or 

 four-year period. 



The average lease price per acre is from $2.50 to $4.50 for a 

 four-year period, while the rental per crop for the same time 

 ranges from S700 to $1000. A stipulation is frequently placed 

 in the contract requiring the turpentine operator to pay for all 

 timber killed during his lease. The price for this is based on 

 the stumpage value of the timber and is estimated annually at 

 the close of the season. 



METHODS OF OPERATION 



For many years crude turpentine was harvested in a primitive 

 and wasteful manner by means of the box method, but within 

 the last ten years the box is rapidly being replaced by cups or 

 other receptacles which are less injurious to the tree, and which 

 yield a higher percentage of turpentine and a better grade of 

 rosin. 



A. THE WORKING UNIT 



A pine forest, called a turpentine orchard, is divided up into 

 working units, called crops. These are composed of 10,500 

 boxes or cups which cover an area of from 200 to 250 acres in 

 the virgin longleaf forests, and an area of from 500 to 1600 acres 

 in the Carolina fields which are largely exhausted. Crops are 

 further divided into five "drifts," comprising 2100 boxes each. 

 On large operations from ten to fifteen crops are in charge of a 

 woodsman or woodsrider who is responsible to a superintendent 

 in charge of the entire operation. The boundaries of crops and 

 drifts are usually marked by blazes to guide the laborers. 



The development of a new crop begins early in the fall, by 

 firing the forest and burning off the grass, fallen needles and other 

 refuse on the forest floor, which would prove a menace to the 

 timber after the trees have been prepared for bleeding. 



Following the burning of the litter comes the preparation of 

 the receptacle for catching the gum as it comes from the tree. 

 This is done during the period between October and March, 

 when labor is abundant and is not required on other parts of the 

 operation. 



