INTRODUCTION. 



During the sugar seasons of 1892, 1893, and 1894, Professors 

 Wood and Morse conducted investigations of problems con- 

 nected with the maple sugar industry. Owing to the brief 

 period in which maple sap flows freely, it has been impossible 

 to make as complete studies in one season as are necessary for 

 accurate knowedge of the subject, and as seasons also vary, sci- 

 entific conclusions cannot be drawn from the results of two or 

 three years' experiments. Therefore the following pages con- 

 tain facts which have been observed, but from which few gener- 

 alities may be deduced. 



While the cane, beet, and sorghum have been extensively 

 investigated and many figures recorded, the results of studies of 

 maple sap, thus far published, are few in number. The theories 

 and observations unsupported by details, are, however, very 

 numerous, and the results stated in the succeeding articles will 

 agree with some and contradict others. 



The work has been arranged, for convenience, under appro- 

 priate heads. 



