LOBLOLLY OR NORTH CAROLINA PINE. 53 



the soda or sulphate processes to effect the destruction or partial destruc- 

 tion of the resin and disintegration of the fiber; or after being chipped 

 the resin can be distilled off. There is a loss in weight by these processes 

 of about 50 per cent; consequently a cord (128 feet) of peeled wood 

 weighing about 3,000 pounds will make only about 1,500 pounds of 

 paper. At present comparative prices of kraft paper and No. 4 lum- 

 ber, low grade timber is more profitably converted into paper than into 

 lumber since the very knotty tops can be utilized by the chemical pulp 

 processes. A mill at Roanoke Rapids is now employing such a process 

 in the manufacture of kraft paper for wrapping purposes. 



While the wood of loblolly pine is less suitable than that of spruce 

 for the manufacture of composition board on account of the great loss 

 in weight resulting from the necessity of using a chemical process to 

 disintegrate the fibers, it is, on account of its cheapness and great weight, 

 being successfully employed for this purpose. A plant for the manufac- 

 ture of composition board is also in operation at Roanoke Rapids. 



It is also being used for the production of wood alcohol, the resin 

 being first distilled after which the alcohol is produced. A large plant 

 for the production of wood alcohol from sawdust and waste has recently 

 been erected at Georgetown, S. C. The waste can also be used for 

 the production of producer gas. This is a recent process the employ- 

 ment of which will enable a large amount of power to be obtained from 

 mill waste in excess of the requirements of the sawmill plant. 



North Carolina pine is extensively used for cross arms for electric 

 wires, wire poles and for light railroad ties, being well suited for these 

 uses after treatment with preservatives. On account of its softness 

 and susceptibility of abrasion it can not be used as a tie for heavy 

 traffic without a tie plate. Near the coast the timber is extensively 

 used for piling; sticks of timber exceeding 100 feet in length being 

 occasionally required for this use. Treated with preservatives it is 

 being used for street paving blocks, the heavy types of wood with not 

 less than 8 rings to the inch being required. It is very extensively used 

 throughout the coastal plain for fuel for manufacturing as well as 

 domestic use, and to some extent for charcoal. Near towns such mill 

 waste as is otherwise unusable is converted into fuel billets and kindling 



wood. 



COMMERCIAL VALUE FOR TURPENTINE.* 



The loblolly pine exudes an oleoresin when wounded, which is occa- 

 sionally in fairly remunerative quantities, but as a rule the yield of 

 crude turpentine is so much less than from the longleaf and Cuban pines 

 (the common commercial sources of crude turpentine) that no general 

 tapping of this tree is practiced. 



The oleoresin exudes from the wounded tree as clear limpid drops. 

 However, crystallization of the dissolved acids takes place very rapidly, 

 so that much of the material remains sticking upon the scarified surface 



This section has been prepared by Dr. Chas. H. Herty, of the University of North Carolina. 



