THE PRODUCTION OF MAPLE SIRUP AND SUGAR. 



19 



tree, as it is only the layers next to the bark that are alive and con- 

 tain enough sap to flow freely. Toward the interior the flow dimin- 

 ishes. With the ordinary tree a hole not over 1 to 2 inches deep 

 is best ; some bore in 3 inches, but this is possibly too deep. In 

 small second-growth trees a short incision, or just through the sap- 

 wood, is best. In any case boring should be stopped when dark- 

 colored shavings appear, even though a depth of an inch has not 

 been obtained, as this shows dead wood and that the sap wood has 

 been passed through. 



NUMBER OF TAP HOLES TO A TREE. 



It is far better to make it a rule to tap only one place on a tree; by 

 so doing the life of the tree is prolonged. Large first-growth trees 

 might be tapped in two and sometimes three places without injury, 

 but it is imprudent and 

 disastrous to tap in two 

 places near together so 

 that the sap from the 

 two is collected in one 

 bucket. 



TIME FOR TAPPING. 



It is good policy to 

 tap early in the season 

 in order to obtain the 

 earlier runs, which are 

 generally the sweetest 

 and therefore the best 

 producers. Makers 

 have lost half and 

 even more of their 

 crops many seasons by 

 not being prepared for 

 the first runs. It is 

 hardly necessary to de- 

 scribe what constitutes 

 " sugar weather," as all 

 sugar makers are familiar with the term. In general, it might be 

 said that during the middle or last part of February in the southern 

 sections and later in the northern ones, when the days are becoming 

 warm, the temperature going above 32 F., and 'the nights are 

 still frosty, the season is ready to open. If the days are very bright, 

 warm, and sunny, the sap will start with a rush," but soon" slacken, 

 or if a high wind starts up the flow is checked. A protracted 

 warm spell or a heavy freeze, with days and nights of even temper- 

 ature, causes the flow to stop altogether, to start up again when the 

 meteorological conditions are right. 



Mr. Phillips, of Ohio, has kept the date of tapping and also the 

 last day of boiling for his camp from the year 1880 to date. The 

 data are as follows, showing how the opening and closing dates of 

 different seasons may vary. 



516 



PIG. 3. Tapping the tree. 



