g() TIMHEK PINES OK THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES. 



without distinction, no figures can be given of its annual consumption, nor is it possible to form 

 even an approximate- estimate of the standing supplies. The old timber goes, of course, as fast 

 us that of the Longleaf Pine, but in its reproduction it outstrips the latter. Wherever in the 

 coast plain the original growth of the Longleaf Pine has been removed, the ( 'ubau Pine takes, in a 

 great measure, possession of the ground, in some localities associated with the Loblolly Tine. 

 Young forests in every stage of growth are seen covering tracts of greater or lesser extent, 

 promising important supplies of resinous products, timber, and fuel. 



PRODUCTS. 



As a timber tree the Cuban Pine is little inferior to the Longleaf Pine. It furnishes sticks of 

 large dimensions free from blemish, rivaling in that respect that superior variety of the Loblolly 

 Pine called llosemary Pine, and there is no doubt that it was often confounded with this tree in 

 the shipments of masts and long spars made in former years from the southern Atlantic and eastern 

 (inlf ports. In the lumber mills on the Atlantic Coast the timber of this tree is indiscriminately 

 sawn and shipped with that of the Lougleaf Pine. 



It remains yet to be proved whether the coarser structure of the wood of the Cuban Pine 

 would render it less durable. It is certain, however, that this very cause, which might interfere 

 with its resistance to atmospheric influences or to contact with the soil, will be found an advantage 

 if the preservation of the timber is to be secured by its impregnation with antiseptic solutions, 

 more open structure permitting readier infiltration. 



Resinous products. This pine abounds in resinous matter. The oleoresin, resin, or crude 

 turpentine, when freshly exuded, is perfectly limpid, of honey-yellow color, less viscid than the 

 resinous product of the Longleaf Pine, and to all appearances richer in volatile oil or spirits of 

 turpentine, judging by the smaller amount of hard gum or scrape formed on the tree. A sample of 

 the dip of the first year from South Carolina was to all appearance exposed for a short time in the 

 box to atmospheric influences. Examined by Prof. E. Kremers, University of Wisconsin, the resin 

 showed an emulsion-like appearance and separated upon standing into heavier granules and into a 

 lighter, transparent, yellowish liquid. Its specific gravity at20C. was found 1.0253. D =32.423 

 (determined in 16.26 per cent alcoholic solution). Distilled with water, the sample yielded 16 per 

 cent of oil of the specific gravity 0.865 (20 C.). D=9.620. 



In view of the rapid destruction of the forests of Lougleaf Pine, the principal source of resin, 

 the future importance of the Cuban Pine in the production of naval stores becomes at once 

 apparent, especially when it is considered that it reproduces itself so much more readily. Even 

 now, on the coast of South Carolina and Georgia, a large proportion of resinous products is derived 

 from the young growth of this pine, which, after the removal of the original timber growth, took 

 possession of the ground. It is claimed by the turpentine gatherers in these States that at an age 

 of from thirty to forty years the trees are sufficiently large for tapping with advantage, and that 

 protected against fire a spontaneous renewal takes place, and after a period of forty years the new 

 crop is ready for profitable exploitation. 



In Washington County, Ala., on the more or less extensive flats that intervene between the 

 low ridges covered with Lougleaf Pine, the Cuban Pine furnishes considerable supplies of crude 

 turpentine of superior quality. In this section the tree is known under the name of Spruce Pine, 

 a misnomer, leading to its confusion with an entirely different tree, the true Southern Spruce Pine 

 (Pinun ylabru). 



CLASSIFICATION AND NOMENCLATURE. 



rhnix hi'li rojili i/l lii is closely allied to the Longleaf Pine, forming with this and two other species 

 inhabiting the nearest tropical regions Cuba and Mexico under the subgenus pinaster, a natural 

 group of trees with heavy resinous wood, rigid long leaves from two to five in a sheath, and 

 subtcrminalor lateral, horizontal or reflexed cones, designated by Engleuiann as the group of the 

 Kuaustrales, or longleaf pines. First distinguished by Elliott as Pimm liriln var. hrtrrophylln and 

 remaining subsequently unknown for more than fifty years, the specific characters of this pine were 

 first reeogni/cdand fully described by Dr. Engelmann, who in honor of its discoverer distinguished 

 the tree under the name of Pinus elliottii, finding himself soon afterwards convinced of the identity 



