St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-11-09
THE eiRCH TREE.

THE eiRcH TREE.
Osue q tie Numsrous Ouhotaaeao fho
Are Derived fton It
A casual glance at the surrounding
Of any timber. country. notably aionl
the creeks and rayines. reveals tn
fact that at least some birch t'sig
have withstood the onslaught Of coun
try pedagogueA who from times re
mote have been identified with tn
legend OF birch oil and elbow greas>
as an acceleystor to the sluggish schoe
boy as ks s.umbles along over the OBJ
stacles On the side Of science hill
Many twigs remain. and outside theiI
legendary historic value suggested IL
the foregoing. the twigs and bark o.
the common birch (BetMlo alba) have
really an intrinsic value not second 4
many Of the most valuable plantA =
Even the leaves and young shootl
secrete q resin0us substance. having
acid reaction. which. under the long
legged names Of the pharmacist, /.
sold as . medicinal preparation
for as high as sixteen dollars
per fluid ounce. The inner bark
secretes a bitterish alkaloid moi
unlike cinchona In its nature. and il
used largely as an adulterant ios
quinine in many parts Of Europe.
The so-called ''Cinchona Mixture" haa
been found by analysts to consist. In
many instances, of the alkaloid found
in the inner bark Of the humble birch
tree. .-r l.
The outer bark. subjected to dry dis.
tillation. yields . peculiar empyreu-
matte oil. having tho peculiar odor Of
Russia leather. and the secret Of pre-
pairing skina and that too. of the very
poorest quality Of skins. being taken
from cattle that have perished on those
barrea, desolate plains. IL the only OBJ
stacle. thus far. to prevent American
artisans competing with Russia and
Austria in fnc leather gooda
1t IL not necessary, however. TO 60
into chemical technicalities and de-
tails in order to arrive at . profitable
solution OF the uses Of birch twigs and
birch bark. when the larger timber IL
being cut away and hauled 70 the saw
mill or the turning lathe. When It is
stated that the oil Of vintergreen
(Olcxm gaMltheria) 80 useful. fragrant
and expensive. IL nearly always adul-
terated with birch oil; much Of It even
ID birch oil pure and simple. but II Il
sold - wintergreen oil. and IL winter
green oil to all intents and purposes.
having. when properly prepared and
refined. the same properties. viz I:
specific gravity. l.l73; boiling point
4l2 deg. and mixes readily with alco-
hol. chloroform. etc. seas s:-
The appliances necessary for the
preparation OF this of are neither in.
tricate nor costly. being simply . large
tub supplied with coil and steam con-
nection. OF course we are not ex-
pected to 60 into all the details Of
manufacture. Only brief outlines can
be given. rs-.. -g'4 3'i ~ = --
The birch limbs. twigs. bark. and.
even the leaves. il . mere commercial
oil is to be made. are gathered and
placed In this large tub containing the
coil for steam heating. and. - fast ~
The mass accumulates it b kept eov-
cred with water, and the tub. being
supplied with .tight-fitting lid. or
should be opened as little as
possible After becoming nearly full.
steam 10 turned on. and the hatch kept
about blood warm for twenty-four
hours. This will dissolve nearly all
he oil and risinous matters. which be-
ing precipitated. causes the mass TO
q very sticky consistency.
Steam may now be turned on. and the
mass brought to boil for . moment
Dr. two. With q wooden connection.
With q small barrel or keR. the tank II
made tight and brought 70 . boil; the
team. having previously dissolved the
,iis. ETC.. win now vapofise them, and
will cosdense In the last-named keg.
After . few hours the job 10 done. the
reg Il bunged or corled up. and IL
,eady for shipment - commercial
oil. though made from
birch refuse continually in the way
\. Y. Lumber Trade Journal. go 'i-