New-York tribune., 1902-01-26
TURPENTINE INDUSTRY.
CRUDE AND WASTEFUL METHODS PCR-
SUED IN THE SOUTH-NEED OF
INTELLIGENT FORESTRY.

{ The crude and wasteful methods employed IN the
South in gathering turpentine were criticised yes
terday by George L. Williams Of the Naval Stores
Company, of savannah. In speaking II the sub
ject, he said: The marked impetus given 10 the
naval stores industry in Florida in the last two
years has brought about conditions hch the
people OF the South have too long ignored and the
time Is fast approaching when The methods en-
Iloyed by the native turpentine operator must bs
replaced by more scientific and less extravsgant
moGe OF operation.
Last years output of turpeutiua was the largest
drawn from the pine helt that stretches from
the hills of South Carolina To the .oulands Of
louisiana and from present indications this years
operations are likely 10 be on similar scale. 1t Is
not many years ago that the turpentne orchards OF
the old WCrld were depleted in the same reckless
and shortsighted manner that charactertzes
own people to-day. and il not until almost tr-
reparablc damage had been done that charge for
tAe better was brought about in this direction. So
widespread and unmistakable has been the injury
inflicted upon pine forests in the South by those
who are working the turpentue orchards that II Is
already predicted that the present rare ot prOduc
ton cannot lorg continue. and thar IN few years
more We ro2y expect TO see Tie output Of naval
stores show an annual decrease
The great loss arises from -he way tn which
the trees are tapped. and also by operating on the
trees when Of too tender a turpentine
tree will not live longer than five years al the most
wane after the rst few oDerations as also does the
quality of the turpentine
The tapping operation is performed by making
a slit about two inches long and inch deep
with axe. IL may also be done by boring with
an auger. again with a sharp pointed instru-
ment like marlinSpike. which IS driven into the
tree with a mallet. As soon the hole IS made
dtpper is inserted and the tUrpeDtine flows down
this into bucket placed ~ the bottom Of the tree.
10 iS here that of the sources or waste
Is displayed. for a bucket is frequently carried
away without another being put In its place ana
the valuable juice of the tree Is allowed 70 now -
the ground and waste. / have seen hundreds o.
turpCntine trees tapped at time, and not III!
out Of a hundred would have buckets 70 eaten tAe
flow. Most OF the tapping is done by negroes
Another great source Of destruction 70 tue Ut
pertiue business Is that the great U0Occupec teII
tory In the South is being fast opened up Oy tne
railroads. and many of the most valuable turpsn.
tine forests have been ruthleSSly cut down Whgte
IL would have been easy for the railroad compshss
TO have taken different routes in order 70 aV0
destruction of the OF course, the ralIoaeSs
have been Of the greatest benefit 10 the owners. -
turpentine forests in the way of rurnishHls uas
portatiOn and In many parts II would oe IIipyss
sible TO work the forests without them. put Sus
losses which they have inflicted in the GestruSNoA
of valuable turpentine forests Is tTreparaoie-
Other nations and other peoples long since 49,
the way are : hlndly pursuing. ana nave -
ceivCd the error Of that way. and nave IOICSuh "a
Vate greed to give way 10 the puphc SvOu JJ.v
wise and efficient system OF forestry Anu 49,
may not the people of the South pront Dy 80, S.s,
dearly bought experience and take steps 70 sssIr
and maintain the wealth still stored up ln s'0
forests? Such protection cannot come TOO SO'N-