The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-09-25
THE BIRCH TREE.
AnA The vasioas Ussfal Dahstauess Tia,
Are Derived from lt.

- ~ voaooo Uee1oS Douoeooooo Tn8S
Are Derived from It
A casual glance at the surround.
ings Of any timber country, notably
along the creeks and ravines, reveals
the fact that at least some birch twigs
have withstood the onslaught OF coun-
try pedagogues, who from time re-
mote have been identified with the le-
gend Of birch oil and elbow grease
- an accelerator to the sluggish school
boy As he stumbles along over the OBJ
stacles on the side Of Science hill.
Many twigs remain, and outside their
legendary historic value suggested in
the foregoing, the twigs and bark OF
the common birch (Betula alba) have
already an intrinsic value not second
TO many Of the most valuable plants.
Even the leaves and young shoots
secrete a resinous substance, having
an acid reaction, which, under the
long legged names Of the pharmacist,
i sold as medical preparation for a.
high as SIC per fluid ounce. The in.
ner bark secretes a bitterish alkaloid
not unlike cinchona in its nature, and
is used largely as an adulterant for
quinine in many parts Of Europe.
The 20 called "Cinchona Mixture"
has been found by analysis to consist,
in many instances, Of the alkaloid
found in the inner bark Of the humble
birch tree.
The outer bark, subjected to dry
distillation, yields peculiar empy-
reumatic oil having the peculiar odor
Of Russia leather, and the secret Of
preparing skins, and that, too, Of the
very poorest quality Of skins, being
taken from cattle that have persisted
on those barren, desolate plains, is the
only obstacle, thus far, to prevent
American artisans competing with
Russia and Austria in leather goods.
II is not necessary, however, to 60
into chemical technicalities and do.
tails to arrive at a profitable solution
Of the uses Of birch twigs and birch
bark, when the larger timber is being
cut away and hauled to the saw mill
or the turning lathe. When it is
stated that the oil OF winter green
(Oleum gaultheria), so useful, fragrant
and expensive, is nearly always adul'
terated with birch oil; much Of It Il
birch oil pure and simple. but Is sold
as wintergreen oil, and is wintergreen
oil to all intents and purposes, having,
when properly prepared and refined
the same properties, viz, specific gray
ity, LIB; boiling point, ALP degs.,
and mixes readily with alcohol, chic
reform, etc.
The appliances necessary for the
preparation Of this oil are neither in
tricate nor costly, being simply o large
tub supplied with a coil and steam con
nection. OF course we are not expect
cd to 60 into all the details OF manu-
facture. Only brief outlines can bt
given.
The birch limbs, twigs, bark ant
/ even the leaves, If a mere commercial
oil is to be made, are gathered ant
placed in this large tub containing tn
coil for steam heating, and as fast a
the mass accumulates it is kept cover
ed with water, and the tub, being sup
piled with tight fitting lid or man
hole, should be opened as little as pos
sible. After becoming nearly full
steam is turned on, and the batch KEEP
about blood warm for twenty -foul
hours. This will dissolve nearly al
the oil and resinous matters, which
being precipitated, causes the mass Il
assume a very sticky consistency
Steam may now be turned on, and tn
mass brought to a boil for momen
or two. With wooden connection
with a small barrel or keg, the tank i
made tight and brought to boil; tn
steam, having previously dissolved tn
oils, etc., will now evaporize them ant
will condense in the last named keg
After few hours the job is done, tn
key is bunged or corked up, and j
ready for shipment as commercia
wintergreen oil, though made iron
birch refuse continually in the way.
New York Lumber Trade journal.