Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 January 1911 — GROWING CAMPHOR IN TEXAS [ARTICLE]

GROWING CAMPHOR IN TEXAS

Methods of Japanese Are Improved Upon on an Experimental Farm— Growth of Plants. Houston. Tex.—The United States inay. within the next few years, becqme a competitor with Japan in the production of camphor. The experl- ; ments which the department of agriculture has been conducting Id the gulf coast region of this state in growing the trees from which this article of commerce is distilled have proved beyond question that It can be | made a highly profitable industry. On the demonstration larm at Pierce, just north of Bay City, camphor seeds were planted several years ago and they soon germinated, the trees having a remarkable growth. In one year's time the plants reached a height of 18 inches, which is said to be a more rapid growth than they have in the camphor producing regions of the. world. The seeds were planted in rows, and were not fertilized, nor did they receive unusual attention. Best results are obtained by planting the deed under shelter, where the tender plants have protection until they are well enough advanced In 6ize for transplanting. An unusual method of harvesting the camphor crop Is recommended for this region by the agricultural experts of the federal government. It is held by them that a regular annual profit of S3OO to $450 an acre may be obtained from a camphor farm in the gulf coast territory by cutting the camphor plants with a mowing machine when they reach a height of about 12 Inches from the ground, instead of waiting until the trees are of full growth size and then cutting (hem, as Is done on the island of Formosa, from which the bulk of the world's output of camphor comes. It has been demonstrated that by cutting the plants yearly In the manner suggested, a larger percentage of camphor can be obtained from the

twigs and leaves of the plant than If the harvesting Is done until they attain the size of a tree. The stubble left by the cutting of the plants soon sends up new sprouts and In 12 months it Is again ready for another cutting. The camphor Is obtained by putting the plants through the distilling process.