THE PRODUCTION OF MAPLE SIRUP AND SUGAR. 43 



FARMERS' ASSOCIATIONS. 



It is practically impossible to produce a grade of sirup of uniform 

 flavor and color. The run of sap and manufacturing conditions are 

 the principal factors influencing these qualities. A maker often 

 finds it impossible to make the same grade on different days with 

 practically the same run of sap; therefore to have uniformity one 

 should mix the various lots into two or more standard grades. A 

 pin-chaser does not know why there are such differences in the prod- 

 uct and wants two successive purchases of the same brand to be of 

 the same grade; one desires the mild, sweet, maple flavor, while an- 

 other wants the stronger flavor, and in order to satisfy these demands 

 and at the same time build up a business a number of makers could 

 cooperate to ship their products to a certain point and then reship. 

 This is actually being done in Vermont, and after many years' trial 

 it has been found to be of great advantage to the individual maker. 



It is to be regretted that selling in large amounts is not done more 

 on a sliding scale, depending on color and flavor. Many organiza- 

 tions and buyers offer better prices for the lighter-colored and 

 milder-flavored product, thus stimulating producers to more cleanly 

 methods of manufacture and so to a better profit in the business. 

 It seems safe to say that this sliding-scale method is coming more 

 into use, for without it there is no incentive for making the better 

 grades of sirup and sugar. 



ACCESSORIES TO MANUFACTURE. 

 FUEL. 



Fuel is an important item in manufacture. It is usually wood, 

 although sometimes supplemented by coal. Before the winter sets 

 in the woodshed mentioned in the description of the boiling house 

 (p. 27) should be filled with cordwood and small brush, as green 

 wood does not produce a hot fire and requires too much attention 

 from the man attending to the evaporator. Wood cut in the spring 

 and piled under cover for the next spring's work will be dry and 

 good. The amount that will be needed depends on the kind and dry- 

 ness. Some makers state that about 8 cords of wood are necessary 

 for 500 trees ; last season one man used 10 cords of wood and 5 tons 

 of coal for manufacturing sirup from 1,000 trees, and another used 

 35 cords of wood with 4,000 trees. 



LABELS. 



In preparing labels, there is one point possibly not well under- 

 stood ; that is, the distinction between sap sirup and sugar sirup. 

 Maple sap sirup results from the concentration of maple sap with 

 or without the usual clarifiers to a standard density. Maple sugar 

 sirup is the solution to a standard density of maple sugar which 

 has come from a further concentration of sap sirup. It is then not 

 correct to label a product as a sap sirup which has resulted from the 

 solution of maple sugar nor as a sugar sirup when made from sap. 

 Both are maple sirups. As a rule sap sirups are sweeter, pleasanter 

 to taste, and milder than sugar sirups, and possess a peculiar inde- 

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