SUGAR MAPLE. 87 



practical utility. In a country like the United- States, intersected by canals, 

 railroads, and other channels of intercommunication, where labour is expensive, 

 and fuel is becoming more and more valuable, the manufacture of this article 

 cannot fail to be an unprofitable occupation. Besides, the annual drawing of 

 the sap renders the trees sickly, and causes a premature decay. 



Ordinarily, the sap begins to flow about the last of February or early in 

 March, and continues for five or six weeks ; after which, it becomes less abun- 

 dant, less rich in saccharine matter, and, at length, is incapable of crystalliza- 

 tion. It is sometimes the case, however, in the northernmost regions where this 

 tree abounds, that there is an ascent of sap in autumn, as well as in spring. 

 This only occurs late in the season, when there are slight frosts at night, suc- 

 ceeded by warm, pleasant days. The sugar produced from this sap, when 

 properly made, is equal to that manufactured from the cane, or the beet-root, 

 the properties of the three being essentially the same. That of the ma})le, as it 

 is usually made, has a peculiar taste, which is much relished by those who 

 are unaccustomed to its use. The amount of sugar produced from each 

 'ree, in a year, varies from difierent causes. A cold and dry winter renders the 

 trees more productive than a changeable and humid season. It is observed, 

 that, when a frosty night is followed by a dry and sunny day, the sap flows 

 abundantly ; and two or three gallons are sometimes yielded by a single tree, in 

 twenty-four hours ; but, in cold, frosty weather, or rainy weather, or when the 

 nights are mild, the sap almost ceases to flow. The yearly product of sugar 

 from each tree varies from two to four pounds. Trees which grow in low and 

 moist places afford a greater quantity of sap than those which occupy rising 

 grounds ; but it is less rich in the saccharine principle. That of isolated trees, 

 left standing in the middle of fields, or by the sides of fences, is best. It is also 

 remarked, that, in districts which have been cleared of other trees, and of the 

 less vigorous sugar maples, the product of the remainder is proportionably 

 greater. In the United States and the British provinces of North America, 

 there is annually made, from seven million to twelve million pounds of sugar 

 from this tree. Holes are made through the bark into the wood of the trunk, in 

 March, April, and May, into which tubes are introduced to lead the juice into 

 vessels placed below. It is observed that the higher the holes are from the 

 ground, the more saccharine the juice, and the more injury the tree receives from 

 its abstraction. Towards the end of the season, when the sap becomes uncrys- 

 tallizable, it is either made into molasses or syrup, or is exposed for two or three 

 days to the sun, when it is converted into vinegar, by the acetous fermentation 

 It is also sometimes made into a kind of beer. 



Wild, and domestic animals are inordinately fond of maple juice, and break 

 through their enclosures to sate themselves ; and when taken by them in large 

 quantities, it has an exhilarating effect upon their spirits. 



From the great height, extended branches, regular and often pyramidal form, 

 and the rich verdure and cleanliness of the foliage in spring and summer, the 

 sugar maple is accounted as one of our finest shade-trees, and is highly recom- 

 mended to be planted along streets and avenues, in pastures, and ornamental 

 grounds. And it is no less beautiful in our forest or woodland scenery, in 

 autumn, when it puts on its bright-orange, and deep-crimson robes. At first, the 

 extremities of the boughs alone change their colour, leaving the internal and more 

 sheltered parts still in their verdure, which " gives to the tree the ellect of great 

 depth of shade, and displays advantageously the light, lively colouring of the 

 sprays." Later in the season, on the contrary, when the tints become more and 

 more gorgeous, and the full beams of the sim-shino full upon the large masses 

 of foliage, the warm and glowing colours of the whole summit possess a great 

 deal of grandeur, and add much to the beauty and effect in the landscape. 



