39 
Part VI.] Preparation of Turpentine , Rosin ancl Gum. 
most important British Calico Manufacturers. Their technical experts reported 
as follows :— 
{a) “ An attempt was made to obtain a solution in water at a strength of 
4 : 10, but even with prolonged heating the result was merely a rough 
pasty mass (see sample A forwarded under separate cover.) 
(6) “ The gum was then heated in a closed bottle for an hour under a steam 
pressure of 6-10 lbs. This also failed to produce a smooth paste, 
though with undoubtedly better results as regards thickness. Sample 
B, forwarded under separate cover, shows this product at a strength 
of 2 : 10. It will be seen that this material is not sufficiently 
homogeneous to serve as a thickener or as a sizing agent. 
(c) “ It was found that a strong solution of caustic soda dissolved the gum, 
but there was no “ body ” in the product, as may be seen by a 
reference to sample C, forwarded under separate cover and subse¬ 
quently neutralisation of the alkali with acid reprecipitated the 
gum. 
(d) “ The gum was found to be but little affected by weak solution of caustic 
soda, sodium carbonate or borax, and acetic acid was also without 
solvent action.” 
“ As a result of these trials the conclusion arrived at by the experts was that 
the “ insolubility ” of this gum (i.e., the presence of resin and gum 
insoluble in water) would prevent its employment for the purpose 
of sizing and finishing textiles.” 
(ii) Report from Bombay, received through the good service of Mr. Wardlaw 
Milne. 
With reference to the Boswellia gum sent for test, we have made a few tests 
with the samples available. The chief possible uses of gum in the cotton trade 
are:— 
1. Sizing. 
2. Finishing. 
3. As a thickening agent for cloth-printing. 
There are no means available in India to test the gum for the latter, but we tried 
the small quantities for sizing and finishing. We had a difficulty in obtaining a 
thick solution by the usual method in use in Mills, viz., mixing the gum with water 
and then boiling direct with steam passed into the water which, of course, increases 
the quantity of water by the condensation of the steam and results in a weaker 
solution. Better results were obtained by direct heating in double-cased kettles 
in which the steam does not come in contact with the water, and after sieving off 
the woody matter remaining, we obtained a fairly thick solution which does not 
carry weight, i.e., will not hold China clay, French chalk or other weighmg sub¬ 
stance. Better results would be obtained perhaps_by using bulk samples and if 
you could let us know the prices with about 2 cwts. of the material we cou d make 
a comparison on a commercial scale. There are possibilities in the gum for use 
in finishing where a firm finish without weight is required of in Tanjibs, but until 
a bulk sample is tried with a view to more exactly ascertaining its ability to fix 
weighing materials on the fabric, we would not like to definitely give an opinion 
as to its use in sizing or finishing where weight is required. 
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