A NEW INDUSTRY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17233, 12 April 1930, Page 7

A NEW INDUSTRY

FORESTRY EXPERIMENTS PRODUCTION OF TURPENTINE (Pur Press Association.) NELSON, this day. In introducing a discussion at the State Forest Service annual conference on the tapping of pinus radiata for the production of naval’ stores, Ranger C. Biggs, of the Auckland region, predicted that though much had previously been written, and many experiments made with regard to the production of oleorosin iron: various pines a new field had been opened up in the tapping of pinus radiata for the production of naval stores.

“There are no records as far as can he discovered.” lie said, “of previous tappings of pinus radiata, and this can possibly he explained by the fact that the distribution of this tree in its natural habitat is limited to a very small area of hilly ground near the sea, and is there of little commercial importance. It is only of comparatively recent years that this species lias become an important timber trep in countries to which it has been introduced. In South Africa, Australia, and in our own Dominion the timber of the pinus rjdiata is superior to pinus pinaster, ancl as far as our experiments have gone has shown itself capable of producing a greater amount of resin, with a higher content of turpentiie oil. GOOD FLOW OF RESIN “Experiments which were started in September of last year have been continued, but a report has not yet been made. it has been found, however, that the flow of resin lias been well maintainecr; and, in fact, lias so increased during the past few weeks tint freshing and collections are being continued until a decided falling oil is noticed. It may he found that in the mild climate of North Auckland, as in the case of pinus merkusis in Sumatra, bleeding can he carried out throughout tile year. The weather of the past six months at Riverliend, where the experiments are being carried out. lias been mild and moist, and it is only during tile last three weeks that- warm moderately dry weather lias been experienced. This ikiet may explain the increased yield, although the average temperature lias not varied more than four or five degrees.

“For the jiinus radiata being experimented with nil average yield of 6111 is. for 34 collections is anticipated, which is practically equal to pinus pinaster, as shown in Professor Schhlik’s manual of forestry. One small tree of llin. d.b.h., with only one face tapped, will probably yield 91bs. ot resin for the year, while the best producer is expected to yield over 181 hs. for a similar period. The trees were not selected, hut were a mixture of planted and selfsown, chosen for this work on account of their proximity to existing operations at Riverliead. lIOPEFUL POSSIBLIITIES “From the above it will be seen that there is every reason to be hopeful that the yield in New Zealand will he equal to, it not superior to, that in other parts of the world. Analyses show that the resin produced from pinus radiata yields 22.4 per cent, of turpentine oil, and 71.7 per cent, of resin, as against 20.6 per cent, of turpentine and 66 per cent, of it.sin from pinus pinaster. The iatter species in France also yields about. 20 per cent, of turpentine from crude resin.

“It. remains to he proved that the collection of crude resin and its separation into turpentine oil and resin can he performed economically enough in New Zealand to allow the two latter to compete with the imported product. New Zealand imported in 1927 £19,299 worth of turpentine and £9432 worth of turpentine substitutes from the United States of America, and only £2 worth from within the Empire. The United Kingdom value per gallon of turpentine was 4s Id, and of the substitute Is Id. To-day, the value of turpentine is approximately twice that of the substitute. A great advantage to New Zealand will accrue it we can make ourselves selfsupporting in this matter, and the experiment in Auckland will he shaped in an endeavor to show that collection can be performed as economically as in the United States, as the major portion of the production costs is made up of labor. It remains for the service to continue tho work and evolve an economical system of distillation and marketing. The question of labor costs may, however, have an important bearing upon the question from a commercial or primary industry viewpoint, but if these objectives can he accomplished an ideal industry may* be established whereby the Maoris of North Auckland can he made self-supporting on their own lands, no expensive plant being required.