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THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 8 



rough outer bark, leaving the inner or bast layer to fit closely aroimd the 

 spout to prevent leaking. In tapping, use a sharp curved-lip bit, not over 

 onehalf inch in diameter. This secures the smooth cut so necessary for a 

 good flow with very little damage to the tree. 



"The spile or spout, like anything else used in the sugar-bush, ilhistrates 

 the law of the survival of the fittest. From the ghastly ax-cut and the 

 basswood spile, to the auger-hole and wooden spout, was a long stride in 

 the right direction; but it was far from reaching the goal arrived at by the 

 sugar-makers of today. While the latter was far in advance of the former, 

 it lacked much that is required in a good spout. True, it kept the hole 

 from drying up, but it would not hold the pail. Worst of all, it soon 

 soured, and so came the false notion that only the first run would make 

 the best syrup. For this reason alone, if for no other, all wooden spiles 

 should be banished from every sugar-bush and their places supjjlied with 

 some of the many excellent metal spouts. Probably the best of these is 

 Post's Eureka spout Tuade by C. C. Post, Burlington, Yt. These are made 

 of galvanized iron, are*very strong, and do not rust. They are so held in 

 the tree by three flanges, that no sap-vessels are plugged; yet, if properly 

 driven, they never leak. Best of all, they hold the buckets directly and at 

 the same time allow us to 



COVER THE BUCKETS. 



" Covers are the least and yet the greatest improvement made in the 

 sugar-bush. Perfect neatness can not exist in the sugar-bush unless the 

 buckets are covered. They exclude rain, snow, dirt, insects, etc., from the 

 sap, and also tend to prevent freezing. Several styles are sold, but a 

 square jjiece of board, large enough to cover the pail, is as good as any- 

 thing. For some reasons it is the best; if the opposite sides are painted 

 different colors, it will save many steps, for in gathering sap the covers 

 can be reversed so that one who uses his eyes need not go twice to the 

 same tree. He can see by the color whether it was been visited or not. 



"In hanging buckets we should see that the top is horizontal. A care- 

 less man may waste more than his wages each day from lack of care in 

 this respect. Tin buckets are best. They are lighter than wooden ones, 

 are not so liable to leakage, have no hoops to lose off, and are much more 

 easily and thoroughly cleaned. Never use less than twelve-quart pails — 

 sixteen-quart pails are best. The original cost is but little more and 

 much sap may be saved that would be wasted by smaller pails overflowing. 



POINTS IN GATHERING SAP, 



" The main thing in sugar-making, after seeing that all utensils are 

 <,'lean and covered, is to gather the sap as soon after it leaves the trees as 

 possible. Gather as often as you can, even though there is but a quart in 

 each pail. It will make more work, Init it will pay in the quality of the 

 syrup. Ozone, the active coloring matter of the air, must be allowed as 

 little contact with the sap as possible, if we desire a light-colored syrup. 

 Many use a large cask or wooden tank mounted on runners for gathering- 

 sap. The same objection may be raised to this that applies to all wooden 

 vessels used in sugar-making. It is likely to absorb the sap and become 

 sour. The best gathering-tank can be made of galvanized iron. The top 

 should incline strongly down from the circumference to form a funnel, or 



