CASTOR OIL AS A LUBRICANT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 218, 9 June 1919, Page 6

CASTOR OIL AS A LUBRICANT

After many experiments with oils it lias been found Inat tha castor-oil, besides its medicinal properties, is the best and safest lubricating agent in tho world. Especially is it useful tor aeroplanes. In conjunction with her development of tho aerial industry, America hag started n hugo schomo for growing tho castor plant. Tor this purpose sho has imported 200 tons of castor beans from India, up to the present our greatest source or supply.of this oil. Something liko 100,000 acres of land have been planted in the States, chiefly in the south, and it is estimated that from tho 200 tons of beans thus Imported at least 2,000,000 gallons of oil will be, obtained. The British Government, too, will need enormous quantities of aeroplane oil, and they cannot do better than undortake an intensive production of,the bean in the West Indies. In the Windward and Leeward groups the plant grows wild on most waste lands, at an elevation of 5000 feel. In fact, it is so prolific in those islands that tho, castor plant is looked upon as a troublesome weed!