TUNG OIL PRODUCTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23057, 7 June 1938, Page 7

TUNG OIL PRODUCTION

AMERICAN PROGRESS DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED i FROST A SEVERE HANDICAP Difficulties which have attended the cultivation of tung trees and the production of tung oil in the United States are mentioned in a memorandum prepared for the United States Department of Commerce by the chief of its chemical division, Mr. C. C. Concannon. After a recent visit to the American tung tree belt in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas. Mr. Concannon learned that the 1938 crop is expected to yield in the vicinity of 20,000,0001b. of nuts, equivalent to approximately 4,000,0001b. of oil. This is estimated to be less than five per cent of the annual requirements of American manufacturers. While convinced that the southern states have completed the ground work for another great American agricultural industry, Mr. Concannon feels that there are still many difficult problems to face. First and foremost is the weather hazard, as the tung blossom is particularly sensitive to frost. In 1935 the entire crop was lost due to early blooming, followed by unseasonable weather. In the following year. 10,000,0001b. of nuts were harvested, but again in 1937 widespread frost damage resulted in very few nuts beinsi produced. Other problems are the proper selection of soil, air and water drainage, and the elimination of ill-advised speculative movements. Mr. Concannon states that much money has been squandered throughout the tung belt in ill-starred ventures, and urges that orchardists and prospective investors should inform themselves thoroughly concerning the prospects for profits before investing time and money in tung groves. Acreage continues to J?e planted in places not suitable for the tung tree, according to present accepted ideas, and all too frequently groves which might otherwise thrive fail from lack of care, according to Mr. Concannon. He pointed out that the fundamental requirements of climate and soil are now known, and that increasing attention is being given to the problem with the view to safeguarding future developments. Consumption of tung oil, practically all of which up to this time has come from China, has been increasing steadily in the United States in recent years. Last year, when the record amount of close to 150,000,0001b. was consumed, American importers paid China 20,000,000 dollars (£4,000,000) for their requirements.