Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1889-10-10
THE BIRCH TREE.
And the Various Substances That are De.
rived from 1t.

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 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 obsta-
cles on the side of science hill. Many
twigs remain, and outside their legend
airy historic value suggested in the
foregoing, the twigs and bark of the
common birch (Betula aiba) have real
ly an intrinsic value not second to
many of the most valuable plants.
Even the leaves and young shoots
secret resinous substance, having an
acid reaction, which under the long
legged names of the pharmacist, is
sold as a medical preparation for as
high as $l6 per fluid ounce. The in
ner bark secretes 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
dstillation, yields peculiar empyreu-
matte 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 perished
on those barren, desolate plains, is the
only obstacles, thus far, to prevent
American artisans competing with
Russia and Austria in fine leather
goods.
1t is not necessary, however, to go
into chemical techanicalities and de-
tails in order to arrive at 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 wintergreen
(Oteum gaultheria) so useful, fragant,
and expensive, is nearly always adul-
tarated with birch oil; much of it even
is birch oil pure and simple, but it is
sold as wintergreen oil, and is winter
green oil to all intents and purposes,
having, when properly prepared and
refined, the same properties, viz,
specific gravity, 1.173; boiling point,
412 degrees, and mixes readily with
alcohol, chloroform, etc.
The appliances necessary for the
preparation of this oil are neither in
tricate nor costly, being simply large
tub supplied with coil and steam
connection. Of course we are not ex-
pected to 20 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 accumulates it is kept cov-
cred with water, and the tub, being
supplied with tight-titting lid, or
manhole, should be opened as little
as possible. After becoming nearly
full, steam is turned on, and the batch
kept about blood warm for TWENTY
four hours. This will dissolve nearly
all the oil and resinous matters, which,
being precipitated, causes the mass to
assume very sticky consistency.
Steam may now be turned on, and the
mass brought to boil for moment
or two. With wooden connection,
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 keg. After few hours the
job is done, the keg is bunged or
corked up, and is ready for shipment
as commercial wintergreen oil, though
made from birch refuse continually in
the way. - NeW York Lumber Trade
Journal