190 



FOREST PRODUCTS 



distilled from the condensed vapors that pass off in heating the wood. 

 So far as can be learned from records, it was not until 1850 that the 

 distillation of wood for the production of volatile products and semi- 

 refined products was begun. According to the most authentic records 

 the first successful wood distillation plant in this country was estab- 

 lished in New York State in 1850, when John H. Turnbull, of Turn- 

 bull & Co., Scotland, who had for some time been connected with the 

 industry, came to this country and erected at Milburn, Broome Co., 

 New York (now Conklin on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western 



Photograph by Nelson C. Broun 



FIG. 54. Beech, birch and hard maple cut in 5o-in. lengths for conversion by dry distillation 

 into wood alcohol, acetate of lime and charcoal. This wood is always seasoned about 

 one year before it is used. 



Railroad) a small chemical plant. The copper and steel castings were 

 brought from Scotland. There were eight cast-iron retorts, 42 in. in 

 diameter and about 8 ft. long, and the necessary copper stills, copper 

 log condensers, etc. A number of men experienced in the industry were 

 brought over by Turnbull from Scotland and many of these men and 

 their sons became managers of plants which soon after sprang up in 

 southern and southeastern New York. 



The retorts were charged each twelve hours with wood cut in 8 ft. 



