INTRODUCTION. 11 



In the past but few stills were equipped with thermometers to 

 indicate the temperature of the gum in the still, but it is probable 

 that in properly conducted distillation the temperature rarely rose 

 above 170 C., and for virgin gum was considerably lower than this. 

 Thermometers are coming into more general use in turpentine distil- 

 ling, and the danger from overheating is being correspondingly reduced. 



DISTRIBUTION, QUANTITY PRODUCED, AND VALUE. 



The turpentine-producing area in this country is practically con- 

 fined to the coastal plains region of the Southern States. In the 

 earlier days the industry was best developed in North Carolina, but 

 owing to destructive methods of turpentine orcharding, in con- 

 junction with lumbering, fires, etc., the industry has gradually 

 worked southward and westward, until at present Florida produces 

 the most turpentine, followed by Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, 

 Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas, in the order 

 named. 



The statistics of the production for the past 40 years taken from 

 the census reports are given in the following table: 



Turpentine production in the United States for the past 40 years. 



GRADING, MARKETING, AND USES. 



It is the trade practice to grade turpentine according to its color, 

 and the various grades are known as " water white," " standard," 

 "off one shade," "off two shades," and "off three shades." The 

 latter is not merchantable. Under the trade regulations the deduc- 

 tion in price on turpentine off one shade is 2.5 cents per gallon and 

 off two shades 4 cents per gallon. Of late years, however, it has 

 become customary to mix the colored turpentine with water-white 

 or standard turpentine, adding a small quantity to each barrel 

 which is not full. The factor is paid 50 cents for each barrel of the 

 colored turpentine that he uses in this way. By this practice the 

 producer receives more for his colored turpentine than he otherwise 

 would under the trade regulations, and but one grade of turpentine 

 is generally known to the buyer beyond the primary markets. There 

 are, however, as has been indicated in the discussion on general 

 properties and methods of production, decided differences in the 



