T. KiKK. — On the neglected Forest Products of New Zealand. IS"? 



source, however, is of inferior quality to that obtained from the Georgian 

 pine, and until the diminution of the American supply, caused by the civil 

 war in 1863, it was chiefly used for the manufacture of resin ; but during 

 the continuance of the struggle it was imported into Britain in large quan- 

 tities, which gradually diminished as the yield of the American product 

 again increased, until, at the present time, it forms only one-tenth of the 

 entire quantity imported, — it is sold under the name of Bordeaux turpen- 

 tme. In North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, turpentine is extracted 

 from Pinus australis and Pinus tceda in large quantities. During the winter 

 months small cavities, termed "boxes," are cut in the trunk of the tree at 

 about twelve inches above the ground. The boxes slope inwards, the 

 bottom being from four to five inches below the lower-lip, and of sufficient 

 width to hold from one and a half to three pints of fluid sap. From one to 

 four boxes are made in a trunk, according to its size and diameter, — a trunk 

 fifteen inches in diameter should have three boxes, each holding about a 

 quart. The boxes are cut with a long narrow axe, and require from eight 

 to ten minutes each to make. 



In the month of March the flow of sap commences, and continues to the 

 end of August. In the former month the bark and sap-v/ood are cut or 

 hacked for a few inches above the box, which is gradually filled, the flow 

 increasing in quantity as the weather becomes warmer, so that the box is 

 fiUed in about two or three weeks. The surface of the box should be lightly 

 chipped over once a week, and the bark hacked afresh, the Avounded portion 

 being slightly increased in height each time, until in the course of years it is 

 carried fifteen feet or more above the box. The turpentine is removed as often 

 as necessary, and the resin that has dried on the surface of the boxes is 

 carefully scraped off, and often mixed with it. 



If the process be carefully conducted, trees may be profitably treated in 

 this manner for forty or fifty years. The first year's produce is always the 

 most highly valued, and is called " Virgin dip." 



The resin scraped from the surface of the wound forms the common 

 frankincense or " Gum Thus " of the druggists, and is the chief ingredient 

 in the incense used in Eoman Catholic places of worship, serving as a 

 substitute for the expensive Olibanum, or true frankincense of Arabia. 



Turpentine is obtained from the larch by boring augur holes in the 

 trunk f inch to 1 inch in diameter, taking care not to reach the centre of 

 the tree. The holes are slightly inclined upward, and have a tube or small 

 gutter tightly fitted into each, with a tin canister or small bucket suspended 

 from the outer end to receive the turpentine. The buckets are examined 

 every morning, and the turpentine removed. 



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