35 



into the outlet. When gathering, this hose or pipe can be fastened to a 

 hook in the top of the tank. To empty the tank let down the pipe and 

 insert it into the pipe leading into the storage tank. 



A double cloth strainer should be fastened over the entire tank to 

 keep out all dirt. This cloth should be thoroughly cleansed after each 



Fig. 24. A SAP GATHERER AND HIS OLD-FASHIONED OUTFIT 



gathering. It is well also to again strain the sap through two or three 

 plies of cloth as it leaves the gathering tank for the storage vat. 



If the sap could run directly from the tree to the evaporator the 

 ideal condition would obtain, but obvious obstacles prevent this desir- 

 able result. A storage tank is necessary to keep the evaporator going 

 between loads of sap. Because stored sap quickly deteriorates a large 

 storage is not necessary, that is provided a sufficiently large evaporator 



