PROBLEMS WHICH CONFRONT COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT. 23 



reorganization of the operating force each spring, with a great many 

 attendant difficulties. The California experiments were not started 

 until June, so that the time when the gum begins to flow is not 

 yet known. The flow continued in California longer than in Arizona. 

 Temperature records taken on the California and the Arizona areas 

 show a considerably higher average temperature in California. The 

 diurnal range of temperature is greater in California than in Arizona. 



Western yellow pine timber generally grows in open stands free 

 from underbrush. In the majority of stands there would be but lit- 

 tle, if any, more difficulty in moving the crude gum than in the South- 

 east. On rough ground burro pack trains might be used. Two small 

 kegs or buckets holding about 150 pounds of dip could be slung on 

 each animal. 



The number of cups that can be hung on an acre of average west- 

 ern yellow pine compares favorably with many areas that are now 

 being turpentined in the Southeast. The western trees are larger 

 than most of the southeastern ones. The bark of the western pines 

 is, however, thicker and rougher, and it will be necessary to remove 

 the outer bark before hanging cups or chipping the trees; and this, 

 of course, means the expense of an extra step not necessary in south- 

 eastern operations. Such work can be done by the use of a broad 

 ax or heavy spade-shaped tool with a cutting edge. 



The cost of securing turpentine rights in the Southeast is con- 

 stantly rising, and it is likely that turpentine stumpage could be 

 leased at lower rates in the West. 



At present the turpentine and rosin used in the West is shipped 

 from the Gulf States. The advantage of cutting out a two or three 

 thousand mile haul to western markets is evident. 



The commercial success of turpentine operations in the Southwest 

 will be doubtful until they have been tried on a commercial scale. 

 Nearly as much turpentine and rosin was obtained from western yel- 

 low pine, and the amount of timber available for turpentine opera- 

 tions in the Southeast is constantly diminishing. These two facts 

 make it reasonable to suppose that turpentine operations in the large 

 tracts of virgin pine timber of the West will, in time, be justified. 



o 



