The harvest ends with the “barrasque”. We scratch the bark from the trunk from one end to the other in order to make it fall on a canvas, then we overthrow it in barrels. These residues do not have the qualities of previous gems to make quality turpentine. Small pots are removed and recovered; In the absence of this precaution, rainwater could freeze and burst the container.
After completing his harvesting work, the resinor puts, cleanses, adjusts and sharpens his tools. He devotes his winter to a variety of activities, such as improving his home, repairing his furniture, logging and preparation of firewood.
With his wife, he brings together pine shavings, called Galips as well as pine cones picked up everywhere. They load the wing and leave to sell its fire suitsX in neighboring villages.
-His wife also gives herself up to the manufacture of candles. To do this, it employs wax, which is not of first quality. She melts it in an iron cauldron until boiling. During cooking, it tears pieces of used fabric in thin strips about 30 to 40 centimeters in length. She immerses them several times in the boiling resin to obtain a fairly thick layer. Once the substance has cooled, but remains flexible, it spreads it on a flat and elongated surface, in order to create as roughly as possible a candle. The canvas rope turns into a wick, providing sufficient glow to avoid darkness, even if the days are long in winter.
The resinor keeps a pace of work and at night, the soup family, and sets up until daybreak.
Article by Isabelle Antonutti, Historical and Archaeological Society of Arcachon and the Pays de Buch
