TREES GROWING IN RICH SOIL. 



199 



In earliest spring, as soon as the sap begins to flow freely, the 

 trees are tapped, and a wooden quill or trough is inserted in 

 the opening. At its other end is placed a bucket. The sap 

 then is averted in its upward course and directed into the 

 trough from where it trickles slowly down into the bucket. 

 About seventy drops fall every minute, — that is, under favour- 

 able circumstances and when the tree is well warmed by the 

 sunshine. This flow of the sap continues about three weeks. 

 There is then a gathering of the country about to enjoy the 

 *' sugaring off." Great fires are built in the woods, and over 

 them kettles containing the sap are hung. This is the signal 

 for a general frolic among the girls and men of the village, al- 

 though stirring, tasting and sampling the syrup are not forgot- 

 ten. It must be taken from the fire at just the time that it has 

 turned to sugar. In certain parts of the country as in Ver- 

 mont, where the making of maple sugar is a large industry, it 

 commands great attention and is done after the most scientific 

 methods. In New York state there is a belt which includes 

 Schoharie, Otsego and Delaware counties and embraces Wayne 

 and Susquehanna counties in Pennsylvania that is yearly be- 

 coming more famous for its production of maple sugar. In 

 fact, the last census shows the yield to be a little below one hun- 

 dred thousand pounds. A tree of average size produces yearly, 

 it has been estimated, from four to eight pounds of sugar. 



The wood of the sugar maple is more valuable than that of 

 any other of its genus. It is reddish brown, heavy and strong, 

 and capable of receiving a high jiolish. From it shoe lasts, 

 pegs and a large amount of furniture are made. When it is 

 burned for fuel its ashes even are valuable, for they contain a 

 considerable amount of potash. 



Bird's-eye maple and curled maple are so called from differ- 

 ent conditions of the wood which arise from peculiar undula- 

 tions of its fibre. 



A. nigrum^ black sugar maple, often grows along streams or 

 inhabits river bottom lands. It is known from the preceding 



