214 TURPENTINE AND ROSIN. 



125 barrels to the hand, or 5,000 barrels, which, at $2 per barrel (a low 

 average), for the crop, is equal to $10,000. The expenses deducted, say 

 $6,000, leaves a net profit of $4,000 (800Z.) But, with the recent high 

 range of prices, a much greater profit has been realised. 



Eosin is used chiefly for soap-making (all kinds), the more common by 

 paper manufacturers, and very fine and common for sealing-wax and 

 varnishes. The commercial classifications consist chiefly of the following 

 descriptions : — Common amber, medium (which includes opaque}, fine, and 

 extra pale, or virgin. 



Within the last few years, rosin has ranged in price from 3s. 9d. to 5s. 

 per cwt. for common ; 4s. to 10s. for medium ; and 6s. 6d. to 21s.. for fine* 

 But latterly, since the disunion of the United States, the former has gone 

 from 4s. 2d. to 14s. 6d. ; the second, from 4s. 6d. to 17s. 6d. ; and the latter 

 from 6s. 6d. to 25s. 



Crude, or rough turpentine, is still distilled in this country to some 

 extent, but the trade has very much decreased since the duty was taken 

 off American spirits of turpentine. 



Crude turpentine has ruled, in ordinary years, from 6s. 6d. to 12s. per 

 cwt., but this year it has ranged from 10s. to 20s. American spirits of 

 turpentine have ranged, in ordinary years, from 29s. to 46s. per cwt., but 

 this year it has realized 30s. to 75s. (with casks). English distilled spirits 

 generally range about 2s. lower than American make, and French 3s. to 

 4s. per cwt. less. Beshipments have been made this year to New York, 

 and the Continent is even drawing upon our supplies. 



Eosin and spirits are made in France, and shipped from Bayonne and 

 Bordeaux. The turpentine is harder, and not so much liked, nor is French 

 rosin in such good repute a s American ; hence, save when prices are high, not 

 much is received here. It is the produce of Pinus maritima, P. sylvestris, and 

 other species. It flows from May to September. 



The essence, or volatile oil of turpentine, is obtained by distilling 

 turpentine with water, with the vapour of which it readily passes over at 

 212,° though its boiling point exceeds 314°. It is one of the most important 

 of the volatile oils in consequence of its numerous applications in the arts, 

 especially in the preparation of paints and varnishes. The highly rectified 

 oil, or distilled spirits, is used under the name of camphine, as a burning 

 fluid, being mixed with alcohol in various proportions. In consequence 

 of the great inflammability of oil of turpentine, it is highly dangerous 

 when kept in quantities. If preserved in wooden vessels, they are very 

 apt to leak ; hence the necessity of placing them in another cask sur- 

 rounded by water. 



Continental spirits of turpentine is frequently imported ; it is much 

 more caustic than the American quality. Eosin and turpentine are both 

 received in barrels, containing from three to three and a half cwt. each. 



Gum Thus, or Flake Turpentine, is the solidified turpentine picked from 

 the trees, having hardened and become bleached, after the sap has ceased 

 running from the incisions made. Nearly all the spirit has evaporated 



