'^0 agricultural essay?. 



Manufacturing thc Sap of the Maple. 



The manufacturing sugar from the maple, is an important 

 item in the system of domestic economy. And as our young 

 men are often engaged in clearing our forests, it is important 

 that they are not only apprisedof the importance of preserving 

 the sugar maple,but that they should understand the process of 

 making the greatest profit from its juices. 



Seasons fou tapping. By trials made in the month of 

 February, it will readily be discovered when this valuable 

 tree ought to be bored, for the purpose of extracting the sap, 

 as in that month either earlier or later, according to the sea- 

 son, it generally begins to yield a sufficient quantity for com- 

 jnencing the business. 



Tapping or boring. Four hundred trees, each bored with 

 two holes,as nearly as may be on the south side : and also with 

 two holes on the north side of the tree in the early part of the 

 season, with screw augers, from two to four quarters of an 

 inch, according to the size of the tree ; and towards the middle 

 of the season, a like number of trees to be bored in the same 

 manner, is recommended as abetter mode for the management 

 «f four hands, than if the whole number of eight bundled trees 

 were tapped at the first running of the sap. This calculation 

 Biay of course be varied according to the number of trees, or 

 kands employed. The sap of the second parcel tapped, will be 

 found richer, and more productive than if a part had been ex- 

 tracted earlier. The auger should enter the tree at first, not 

 »ore than three quarters of an inch : the holes may at several 

 times, be deepened to the extent of two inches and a half, as 

 the manner of the sap running may render necessary. 

 The hole should be made slanting or descending, so that the 

 sap may run freely in frosty weather, and not by a slow motion 



