370 THE FARMER'S AND 



gained on the subject of clarifying, the straining will be 

 dispensed with, except to pass the juice through a coarse 

 strainer to remove some of the larger impurities. Some 

 method will be discovered, by which all this foreign mat- 

 ter will be removed in the operation of skimming. 



Boiling. This operation requires care and close at- 

 tention, particularly when about ready to skim, and when 

 the juice is concentrated to about the point desired. The 

 more rapidly this operation is performed, the more per- 

 feet will be the crystallization. But, however necessary 

 it may be, it is scarcely possible, with any apparatus that 

 I have any knowledge of, to perform the whole labor of 

 cutting, grinding, straining, skimming, and boiling, in the 

 short space of one hour, as recommended by Professor 

 Mapes, of New-York. If this is ever done, it must be in 

 very small quantities, or some very improved method 

 must be adopted. 



In boiling, as soon as the scum begins to rise, the fire 

 must be regulated with care, that time may be had for 

 removing the scum before it shall be boiled in. If the 

 operation of boiling and skimming be well performed, 

 about one gallon of thick heavy scum will be obtained 

 from a batch of fifteen gallons. The syrup, when it be- 

 comes thick and nearly done, has a very beautiful ap- 

 pearance, in every respect equalling the best of maple 

 syrup. To boil to the crystallizing point, (which is a 

 very uncertain one,) requires considerable care and dis- 

 crimination. The same tests that are used for maple 

 syrup, are equally applicable to corn-stalk ; as for in- 

 stance, when it will flank off, breaking short, from a dip- 

 per or stick ; or string out between the thumb and finger, 

 from half an inch to an inch in length, is perhaps the 

 safest test. Very great care is necessary, here, that 

 it is brought to the right point, and no more ; and also 

 in managing the fire, as a little blaze, or too strong a 



