The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-06-04

equipment the products have been i'm
proved.
"The crude methods of the Indians
consisted of cutting large notches in
the bark and inserting chips to direct
the flow into vessels made of clay or
bark, much of the sap being lost in
this manner. After collecting the sap
the Indians placed it in a large yes
sci and boiled it down by repeatedly
dropping hot stones into it, which of
course produced very dark syrup.
Their method of making sugar was by
putting the syrup in shallow vessels
and allowing it to freeze. The ice
was then SKINNED off and thrown
away, continuing this process until
the syrup became sufficiently refined
to crystalline.
"Of course the early settlers at first
followed the methods of the Indians,
but they soon began to make improve
ments. The first change was the cut
ting of circular holes in the bark in
stead of the notches used by the In
dams. The circular holes enabled the
use of wooden spouts instead of chips,
thereby conserving the collection of
the sap. Also, the white man substi-
tuted copper, iron or wooden recepta-
cles for catching the sap. AS a later
development, holes about one inch in
diameter were bored into the trees
with augers and in these were insert
ed hollow or half-round spouts Of
sumac or alder.
"In boiling down the sap, the set
tiers at first used large iron kettles
in the open woods without shelter
from the weather, resulting in syrup
full of impurities and very dark in
color. Sugar was produced by con-
tinuing the boiling process until the
sap reached a waxy consistency when
it was then dropped in the snow and
Immediately placed in small moulds
for it to crytallize.
"Since those days, modern methods
have developed and the Garrett Coun-
ty Maple Products Association is pro-
noting the latest improvements. Trees
are now tapped with an auger about
TIC of an inch in diameter in the
spring just before the flow of sap
begins. Metal spiles are inserted, metal
buckets are hung directly on the Spite
and efficient covers are used on all col
lecting receptacles, thus insuring a
clean and attractive product. Collec-
ton of the sap in the woods is &C
complished by means of a covered
metal tank mounted on, sled. All
sap is carefully strained as it is pour
ed from the collection buckets into the
tank. The boiling down of the sap
is now accomplished in building with
modern equipment. A fiat pan is used
which has partitions in it which are
open at alternate ends which permits
the sap to flow slowly in meandering
course from one end of the pan to the
other, the flow being regulated so that
in it's progress it is gradually boiled
down to the proper consistency. This
is attained when the syrup reaches a
temperature of PIG degrees Fahren-
heit. The syrup drawn off at this
temparture weighs II pounds per gal
lon, which weight is required by the
trained inspectors. About one barrel
of sap is required to make one gallon
of syrup or 71s pounds of sugar.
When the syrup is drawn off the in
spectors test it, grade it as to color
and quality and it is sealed in tin cans
of one gallon or one-half gallon sizes
or in glass jars of one to two quart
sizes.
when sugar is made the syrup is
heated until it is so thick it pours
slowly or becomes waxy in cold water.
This occurs at a temperature of 230
degrees Fahrenheit. When it reaches
this temperature it is drawn off into
moulds.
"There are now twenty-five States
and Canada producing maple syrup
and sugar, while, in addition, Kan
sas produces small quantities of sugar
only. For many years Maryland has
produced something over $4,000 gal
Ions of syrup, which has been gradu-
ally on the increase, while sugar pro-
duction has been on gradual decline.
A sugar production peak Of $4,000
pounds was reached in 1910, but pro-
duction has now dropped to less than
a third of this amount. Among the
states Maryland ranks fifth in the pro-
duction of sugar and twelfth in the
production of syrup. Vermont is the
leading sugar producer, while New
York State is the largest producer of
maple syrup. The maple products in
dustry in Maryland represents an an
nual transaction of nearly $150,000
and gives part time employment to
over 500 persons. This is the pro-
duct of over $4,000 maple trees"