Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1909-04-15
1apote Tree and
ChicIe Gum


Among the numerous natural nrnd-
uc.s apounding in Mexico the zapote
Tree stan pre-eminent, its gum and
WOOD during many decades having
iorned a source of wealth to a large |
numper OF individuals and corpora
lions, native and foreign. which have
obtained from the State government
proprietary rights or concessions to
extract chicle gum.
The wood of the zapote tree isdark
purplish red, and although exceed
lngly nard when first cut, it is. easily
worked until thoroughly seasoned,
Wnen only the finest edged tools
nave any effect on it's fint-like sur
race. Sharp pointed nails can be
urlvens into the wood only about an
1nchf The fibre is so dense that the
wood sinks rapidly in water, and will
remain immersed for years without
being affected in the least. Zapote
door frames in the ruins OF Uxmal
are as perfect to-day az when first
placed in position. The wood is sus-
ceptible Of a beautiful polish. The
average zapote will square five to
eight inches, and occasionally two
feet. It is claimed that the bark is
employed to great advantage in tan
ming processes, and that leather so
treated is superior to other kinds.
The magnificent trees are rapidly
disappearing, as the operators are
taking no precautions to protect them
from the destructive methods Of the
chicleros, who, in their greed to OBJ
tain all the sap possible, cut the trees
SO deep that they do not recover from
the effect of the inclsions, but grad
ually decay. Before the trees reach
this stage, and while still easy to
work. they are cut down and shaped
into building material.
The chicle industry extends from
Mexico as far as the extreme southern
portion of Yucatan. which produces
the largest yield, but in quality the
gum Is inferior tosthat obtained from
this section, especially in the Tuxpan
district. The latter gum commands
= higher price in the United States,
to which it is almost exclusively
shipped.
Zapote trees thrive best on high,
rolling land, and although trees are
found on the lowlands, they are in
ferior in both SAP and wood. Con-
tinuous tapping does not appear to
have a seriously detrimental effect.
provided the missions are not too
deep. Trees are known to have been
tapped for twenty-five years, but after
that time produced only from half a
pound to two pounds OF sap. If al
lowed to rest five or six years, they
will produce from three to five
pounds. The average height of the
trees is about thirty Feet. Zapotes
are exceedingly slow in growth, and
require from forty to fifty years to
attain full height.
: The chicle season opens early in
September, though the yield at this
: period is limited; and, owing to still
copfous rains, the chicleros tlabor.
ers) are retarded in their work; but
this Is to a great extent a benefit, as
rains are favorable to an abundant
flow OF the sap, provided the rain,
a oOooO4A ID " pl OlOAlSCO Wy Ol4u OClO
8 Der, in which case sap would contain
a larger proportion of water, and tn,
loss in condensation would be heav.
e and the product inferior. Now tree
will produce from fifteen to twenty
q five pounds Of sap, according to size
In order to produce twenty-five
pounds a tree would have to squar
about two feet and be from twenty
u five to thirty feet high.
The process of extracting the sa'
Is extremely primitive. Open V
T shaped missions are made i'll the ire
trunks, permitting the sap to flow i
a continuous stream. At the foot e
each tree a palm OF other appropriat
Z leaf is fastened, which acts as
leader Of gutter, from which TIL
chiclc drips into the receptacle place
,, to receive. it.
The sap as it flows into the II
cisions is beautifully white, has th
consistency Of light cream, but as
. runs down it gradually becomes MOI
y viscous, until, as it drips into tt
receiving receptacle, it is Of tt
y density OF heavy trcacle. 1t is vel
adhesive, and is extensively employe
4. for repairing broken articles ar
!. fastening leather tips to billiard cue
- When the receptacle becomes flu
~ it is emptied into a large iron kett
;. mounted on a temporary stone fou'
IL dalton, with a small opening K
wood, the fuel used in the boilir
VI process to %evaporate the water, while
amounts to about twenty-five =
II cent. of the sap. AS the boiling pr
crosses the chic1e thickens, and VIII
it has reached the proper consistent
it is allowed to settle until a trii
" more than lukewarll, when It
kneaded to extract more OF the wat
|. content, and is then shaped by hal
%. into rengh. uneven loaves weighil
10 five t. thirty pounds II careful
cooked it is Of w~hitish-gray shad
If carelessly handled and improper
boiled it is a dirty dark gray. VIII