igo 7 ~\ Herty — The Pine and its Products. 39 
tillation plants, pro vincially called “ stump factories.” Many 
were built, but it was soon found that the paint and varnish 
people did not want the product, as the quality was irregular 
and the odor bad. Then, too, the by-products so carefully 
saved found no market. Finally through faulty construction 
or careless management many of the plants burned. Conse- 
quently destructive distillation lost favor and plants were 
erected for the extraction from lightwood by steam of spirits 
of turpentine alone. This method gives an oil of good qual- 
ity, and with increased experience a product is now manufac- 
tured which is practically the same as “ gum spirits.” But 
the yield from average raw material is rather low and if it be 
sought to increase the yield by elevation of temperature the 
quality is inferior. 
I think I have stated the case fairly. We all hope that this 
industry will eventually be placed upon a good solid basis. Let 
me emphasize three points in connection with this subject : — 
First. — Fewer promoters and more chemists would improve 
the situation. 
Second.— Investors must not expect to realize the enormous 
profits claimed by some of the over-enthusiastic, but the busi- 
ness is capable of yielding fair dividends if the plants are 
properly located and carefully managed. 
Third. — In spite of the preference now shown for steam 
extraction, the future of this industry lies in destructive dis- 
tillation, but not as at present practiced. The difficulty of 
securing profitably a permanent supply of raw material will 
lead to the establishment of numbers of cheap stills. Such 
stills require no expert labor and can be easily moved from 
time to time to fresh portions of the territory for raw material. 
The crude product from these small stills will be shipped to cen- 
tral refineries where suitable apparatus will be found operated 
under the direction of chemists. 
ROSIN. 
What is rosin and of what chemical compounds is it 
