OLD HOMESTEAD 



second, when it ''cracked" — that is, when a little of it 

 dipped onto snow would lie on the top of the snow and 

 immediately harden into clear, hard wax which would break 

 when bent. Both methods were usually adopted to make sure. 

 Then the fire was drawn and it was allowed to cool in the 

 kettle, being rapidly stirred about meantime until it became a 

 thick, sticky mass through which the stirring-paddle could 

 hardly be pushed. It was then dipped out into milkpans or 

 other vessels to cake, which it did, becoming harder and harder 

 the longer it stood. If caked sugar was not desired, it was 

 ** stirred off" — that is, constantly stirred with a long, strong, 

 wooden paddle until dry, but not allowed to cake or harden. 

 If thick syrup or molasses was wanted, it was not boiled to the 

 flaking point, but taken off the fire when about half-way between 

 a ''wink" and a "flake." The skimmings were saved and 

 made excellent vinegar. 



Of the sugar parties you read so much of we made no great 

 account. It was a constant sugar party from March to May, 

 and mother's only anxiety was that the children and their friends 

 and visitors should not eat so much of the wax as to get sick. 

 How much could be done in that line was occasionally tried by 

 some greedy urchin who got the worst of it. I remember a joke 

 or trick we practiced on the dog, who also liked the soft, sweet 

 stuff. A bunch of the stiff wax was rolled up, put in his mouth 

 and his jaws shut tightly together. Of course, for a long time 

 he could not open them, and went through very funny antics, 

 running, rolling and pawing, but, like "Tar-baby," saying noth- 

 ing until it softened up and released him. 



At the close of the season, having drawn up the wood for 

 the next year during odd times, the buckets were gathered, 

 "scalded" and packed away in the sugar-house, which they 



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