Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-03-05
MAPLE SUGAR.

Vermont doubtless made more sugar last
year n proportion to population, than any
other State ofthe Union, Louisiana excepteds
Our last crop was estimated at 1rtecn nHl-
hons of pounds. Such favorable seasons for
sugarmaking as that of 1857, do not occur
every year-still with sufficient attention and
skill, there is little room for doubt that not
only can as much be produced in any fair
season, but that the average quality can be
so improved that the total cash value of the
staple shall, in spite Of the fall in the prices
Of sugar, be fully maintained. We compile
the following valuable hints from several
communications which we find in the Agr'-
c4lturia for February, from farmers of much
experience in sugar-making, in several parts
Of New York State. And first concerning
TArpING.-Onc farmer uses in tapping, a
or augur bit, making the hole. ID or ,
inches deep. The spout is made of hard
wood, four OF five inches long hole bored
with small bit through its length, and
turned in lathe, one end to tit the hole
made by the bit in the tree, and the other
with a head, over which the wire loop at
tached to one edge of the bucket, is slipped
quite tapering, 50 as to fill the hole perfectly
tight at its entrance in the bark of the tree
This allows all the sap to pass through the
spout, and prevents its escape otherwise
To Z" freshen" another hole is bored and an
other spout inserted near the first, 50 that the
same bucket receives the sap from both
Another uses spouts made of pine with hole
burned through, or sumach with the plth
removed, and properly tapered at one end to
fl the hole. The spouts need not be more
than three inches long if the buckets are
hung up, except in case of using one bucket
for two or more spouts. This man says
In tapping choose the North or West
side of the tree, for this side will run when
the South side will not, and will not cease
running so soon in the season and Will give
more sap ofthis latter am confident. The
trees should be tapped about four feet
from the ground, with Ia TO 34 inch bit
and two to three inches deep according to the
size of the tree for it is only the sap part o
the wood that yields sap, and perforating the
heart of the wood is very injurious to The
tree causing decay
Both agree in hanging the buckets on th'
spouts, for if the buckets are set on th'
ground they catch many leaves blown by th'
wind, and the fact is abundantly proved tina
rhite sugar or syrup oANNoI be made from
sap in which dead leaves have soaked-ther'
is scarcely anything more deletcrous.
BrcKErs.- The buckets nrc usually mad
of pine, hooped with ash or iron, and some
times the outside is painted On one side a
the upper edge Of the bucket, a wire loop
inserted, just large enough to pass over tn
end Of the spout after it is firmly driven int
the tree, by which the bucket is hung
, Many furnish covers 10 each bucket, whic
/ are made from blocks Of pine, sawed of II
I proper length from which thin pieces are rive
with a shinglc frow one side eoredse of the
n thin pi.c,s a notch is cut, tmo.Ih whic
g when properly placed ON the bucket the 81
z drops from the spout This cover cSclud
y all rain and snow leaves ana uall. The %,