24 



THE PRODUCTION OF MAPLE SIRUP AND SUGAR. 



Covers on buckets may form a good guide to the maker in telling 

 how often his buckets are emptied and whether they have been 

 emptied on that day. This is accomplished by having the two sides 

 of the cover painted different colors, as in one case noted one side was 

 white and the other side red. As the sap was gathered the cover was 

 turned. Thus, in passing through the bush for the afternoon collec- 

 tion the buckets of the morning collection could be passed. By this 

 means a faithful worker will be sure all of his buckets are emptied 

 each day. 



GATHERING PAILS. 



One of the largest buckets fitted with a handle may serve the pur- 

 pose of collecting the sap from the buckets on the trees and carrying 

 to the gathering tanks. The usual form is a metal pail with a larger 

 diameter at the bottom than at the top. This gives it stability and 



PIG. 6. Hauling tank. 



makes it less likely to turn over when resting the sap bucket on its 

 edge to empty. Many have flaring funnel tops. As in the case of 

 sap buckets, these might be of wood, but are unwieldy on account of 

 their initial weight. They should be cleaned often, in fact after each 

 time of using. The inside bottom edge, forming an acute angle, gives 

 opportunity for dirt to collect and may soon become foul from bac- 

 terial growth. The gathering pails hold from 15 to 20 quarts. 



HAULING TANKS. 



Where only a few trees are tapped, and the boiling is done close by, 

 the sap may be carried in the gathering pails to the supply tank 

 for evaporation, but where the sugar bush covers many acres there 

 is need of some means of transporting the sap. The usual form of 

 transportation is in some large receptacle on a sledge or stone boat 

 drawn by horses or cattle. Many of the small camps use a barrel 



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