388 



FOREST PRODUCTS 



On many of the most modern operations, after the spout is taken 

 out at the end of the season, the tap holes are plugged with cork stoppers. 

 During the following growing season the hole readily heals over with a 

 fresh layer of wood and bark. 



The flaring rust-proof tin buckets of 13- and i6-qt. capacity are rapidly 

 superseding the old wooden bucket. They are hung, together with the 

 covers, directly on the spout. The flare shape is used to prevent ice 

 from breaking them. Galvanized iron is never used because of the 

 ooisonous nature of the metals used in galvanizing. 



The advantages of the tin over the wooden buckets are: 



1. They do not dry up and leak. 



2. They can be easily rinsed and cleaned after each run. 



FIG. 101. Modern tin pails with covers to keep the sap free of rain, bark, twigs, and other 

 impurities. Photograph taken at Hardwick, Vermont. 



3. They do not soak up sap and sour the contents as the wooden 

 buckets do, unless frequently scalded. 



4. The tin bucket is durable, light in weight and when nested they 

 are compactly stored. 



The i3-quart rust-proof tin buckets cost from $25 to $30 per hundred 

 depending upon the number purchased. The covers cost about $8.00 to 

 $9.00 per hundred. 



Collection of Sap. 



Preliminary to the work of tapping the trees, setting the buckets 

 and the gathering of the sap, haul roads are customarily broken through 

 the snow so that as soon as tapping is commenced, preparations can be 

 made to bring in the sap immediately. 



