Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1884 — Camphor. [ARTICLE]

Camphor.

Camphor is made in Japan in this way: After a tree is felled to the earth it is cut up into chips, which are laid in a tub on a large iron pot, partially filled with water and placed over a slow fire. Through holes in the bottom of the tub steam slowly rises, and, heating the chips, generates oil and camphor. Of course, the tub with the chips has a closely fitting cover. From this cover a bamboo pipe leads to a succession of other tubs, with bamboo connections, and the last of these tubs is divided into two departments, one above the other, the dividing floor being perforated with small holes to allow the water and oil to pass to the lower compartment. The upper compartment is supplied with a straw layer which catches and holds the camphor in crystal in deposit as it passes to the cooling process. The camphor is then separated from the straw, packed in wooden tubs, and is ready for the market. The oil is used by the natives for illuminating and other purposes.