22 WESTERN FINES AS A SOUECE OF NAVAL STORES. 



Jieterophylla) in average operations in Florida l if the comparison is 

 based on the same period of time for both. Weather conditions in 

 Arizona, however, will allow only a 24 or possibly a 26 weeks' season 

 as against a 30 or 35 weeks' season in the Southeast, so that when 

 the yields for an entire season are compared, western yellow pine 

 shows a production about two-thirds as great as that from southern 

 yellow pine. The average proportions of rosin and turpentine in the 

 gum were about the same as in gum from the southeastern pines, 

 and the turpentine had a composition much like that from the 

 Southeast. 



The California experiments on western yellow pine, carried on 

 over a period of 16 weeks from July 7 to November 1, show an 

 average rate of flow slightly greater than that in the Florida experi- 

 ments. Had the work in California been started earlier, it is probable 

 that the weekly average would have been lower, as a smaller yield is 

 to be expected early in the season. The season of flow in California 

 will undoubtedly be as long as in Arizona, and probably longer. 

 The composition of the volatile oil obtained by distilling the gum 

 from California differs from that of ordinary turpentine somewhat 

 more than does the Arizona turpentine, but the oil probably will be 

 satisfactory for industrial purposes. 



Pinon (Pinus edulis) in Colorado had a rate of flow slightly over 

 half that of the Florida pines for a 20-weeks period, from June 9 to 

 October 31. The volatile oil from the pinon gum differs somewhat 

 from ordinary turpentine, but is probably suited to industrial use. 



PROBLEMS WHICH CONFRONT COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT. 



In considering the possibilities of commercial turpentine opera- 

 tions on western pines the problem of labor is one of the first that 

 presents itself. In Arizona, Mexicans constitute a large part of the 

 laboring class, but they are totally unfamiliar with turpentine work. 

 Negro turpentine hands could be brought in from the Southeast, but 

 their transportation would be costly. A few negro hands might be 

 secured to teach the Mexicans, but whether the results would be 

 satisfactory is, of course, unknown. In California both Indian and 

 white labor is available in many timbered portions that have turpen- 

 tine possibilities; here also the chippers would have to be taught 

 how to use a hack. 



The shorter season in Arizona, as compared with that of the South- 

 east, and the comparative severity of the winters in the timbered parts 

 of the State might make it necessary to discontinue operations entirely 

 for a few months during the winter. This would necessitate the 



1 As a basis of comparison for the yields obtained in the West, the results of experiments made by the 

 Forest Service in Florida several years ago are used. (See Bulletin 90, Relation of Light Chipping to 

 the Commercial Yield of Naval Stores, by Charles H. Herty.) 



