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B. THE SIZE OF TREE AND THE NUMBER OF RECEPTACLES 



Trees as small as 6 inches in diameter are often bled, although 

 it is seldom profitable to work trees under 12 inches. 



The number of boxes or cups placed on a tree is governed 

 chiefly by its size; small trees having one receptacle, medium- 

 sized trees, from 18 to 24 inches in diameter, two, and those of 

 greater diameter from two to four. During the last year the 

 crop is worked some operators "back box" the timber, that is, 

 they place additional cups on the trees. 



It is essential that a strip of cambium from 3 to 6 inches wide 

 be left between each scar in order that the tree will not be 

 girdled, and die during the first season. 



When the turpentine rights only are leased, the timber often 

 is bled more heavily than where the work is done by the owner 

 of the timber, 



C. THE BOX SYSTEM 



Cutting the Boxes. — The box consists of a wedge-shaped 

 incision cut into the base of the tree at a height of from 8 to 1 2 

 inches above the surface of the ground. 



The size of the box depends on the diameter of the tree, but 

 usually the opening is from 6 to 7 inches in height, from 9 to 14 

 inches wide and the base slopes downward at an angle of 35 

 degrees for a distance of 7 inches. The capacity of these boxes 

 varies from i to 3 quarts. 



Boxing is done with a long-bitted, straight-handled ax of 

 special pattern. The negro laborers who work by contract are 

 paid from i^ to 2 cents per box. On large operations the men 

 work in crews of from forty to fifty in charge of a foreman, who 

 inspects and tallies the boxes cut by each man. A water boy is 

 a necessary member of the crew and is usually paid by the 

 laborers, each one of whom contributes two boxes per day toward 

 the payment of his wage. 



A good box cutter will average from 80 to 150 boxes per day. 

 Some are able to cut 200 per day, but not all of the boxes will 

 be well made. 



