6M'"i.] TAPPING THE MAPLE TREES, ETC. 115 



TAPPING THE MAPIE TREES. 



The next public service is at the tapping of the maple trees, and con- 

 sists of the war dance, the performance of which will, it is hoped, bring 

 on warmer weather and cause the sap to flow. 



As a special favor to ambitious parents, the dancing warriors often 

 bear in their arms infant boys, who are supposed to become early inured 

 and inspired with a desire for a warrior life. 



At the close of the sugar season follows the maple-sugar festival, the 

 soups of which are all seasoned with the newly-made sugar. This festi- 

 val, in which a number of dances are introduced, lasts but one day. 



PLANTING CORN. 



The corn-planting festival is very similar to that of the new year, in- 

 troducing the confession of sins by the chiefs, the feather dance, &c. 

 This lasts seven days. 



STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL 



During the strawberry season, at a time appointed previously by the 

 chiefs, the women proceed to the fields and gather the berries. The 

 great feather dance follows ; afterwards two children carry about a ves- 

 sel containing the berries, mixed with water and sugar, and present it 

 to each person, who is expected to give thanks as he receives it. More 

 dancing ensues. 



The bean festival next occurs and is very similar to the strawberry 

 festival. 



GREEN-CORN FESTIVAL. 



This is preceded by a hunt by the warriors for deer or bear meat to 

 use for the soups. 



During their absence the ceremony of confession takes place, as in the 

 New Year's festival, and the women are engaged in roasting the corn 

 preparatory to its being jilaced in the kettle with the beans for the suc- 

 cotash. If the weather is very warm the hunters bring home the meat 

 ready baked. On their return the feasting and dancing commence and 

 continue for four days. The gambling, which is considered a religious 

 ceremony, is then introduced, silver brooches, war clubs, jewelry, bead 

 work, «&c., being used as the wagers. Sometimes the clans play against 

 each other, but frequently the women play against the men, and are 

 oftener the winning party. 



This festival is the gala season of the Indian year, and all appear in 

 their most fanciful decorations, some of the costumes having an intrin- 

 sic value of several hundred dollars. 



GATHERING THE CORN. 



The last public festival of the year is at the gathering of the corn. 

 After the thanksgiving dance there is a repetition of the confession 

 of sins and the feather dance. In the latter the gayly-colored corn is 



