Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-09-05
THE BIRCH TREE.
And the Substances That Are De-
rived From 1t.

A casual glance at the surroundings
of any timber country, notably along
the creeks and rayines, reveals the fact
that at least some birch twigs have with
stood the onslaught of country peda-
gogues, who from times remote have
been identified with the legend OF birch
oil and elbow grease as an accelerator to
the sluggish school boy as he stumbles
along over the obstacles ON the side of
science hill. Many twigs remain. and
outside their legendary historic value
suggested in the foregoing, the twigs
and bark have really IN 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, is sold
MS medicinal preparation for as high
MS $l6 per fluid ounce. The inner 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 so called
Cinchona Mixture has been found
by analysts to consist, in many instances,
of the alkaloid found in the inner bark
of the humble birch tree
The outer bark, subjected to dry dis
tillation, yields peculiar empyreumatic
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
fine leather goods.
1t is not necessary, however, to go
into chemical technicalities and details
in order TO arrive Mt II 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 aud turning
lathe. 1t is stated that the oil of winter
green, so useful, fragrant and expensive,
is nearly always adulterated with birch
oil, much of even is birch oil pure aud
simple, but it is sold as wintergreen oil,
and is wntcrgreen oil TO all intents and
purposes, having, when properly pre-
pared and refined. the same properties,
viz: specific gravity, LIB; boiling
point, Az degrees. and mixes readily
with alcohol, chloroform, etc.
The appliances necessary for the pre-
partition of this oil are neither intricate
nor costly being simply a large tub
supplied with coil and steam cOnnec-
ton. OF course, we are not expected to
go into all the details Of manufacture.
Only brief outlines can be given.
The birch limbs, twigs, bark and even
the leaves, If mere commercial oil is to
be made, are gathered and placed in
this large tub containing the coil for
steam heating, and as fast as the mass
accumul&tes, it is kept covered with
water, and the tub, being supplied with
IA tight fitting lid, or manhole. should
be opened MS little MS possible. After
becoming nearly full, steam is turned
on, and the batch kept about blood
warm for twenty.fonr hours. This will
dissolve nearly all the oil and resinous
matters. which. being precipitated,
causes the mass 10 assume very sticky
consistency. Steam may now be turned
on, and the mass brought 10 boil for
moment or two. With wooden con
nection, with small barrel or keg, the
tank is made tight and brought to
boil; the steam, having previously dis
solved the oils, ETC., will now vaporize
them, and will condense in the last
named key. After a few hours the job
is done, the beg is bunged or corked up,
and is ready for shipment as commercial
wntergreen oil, though made from
birch refuse continually ia the WY
Lumber Trade Journal