85 



and sugar are left in solution. Maple sugar is made by carrying 

 the process further. 



In the boiling is the greatest divergence between oldtime and 

 modern methods. The commercial evaporator is a complicated 

 system of shallow flat pans and pipes set on a brick fire box. 

 It turns out clear syrup after a short time of boiling with a 

 minimum of labor. However, here at the Mohonk bush, a great 

 round bottomed iron kettle holding 48 gallons w^as suspended 

 by heavy chains from a tripod of solid oak poles. 



The final boiling to syrup is accomplished in a small kettle, 

 the point of removal being judged with either a thermometer or 

 by its consistency as it drops from a spoon. The weight of a 

 gallon of syrup is fixed by law — at not less than 11 pounds. 

 In an average season a tree 12 inches in diameter may yield 

 30 gallons of sap per year through one hole. The sweetness of 

 sap varies during the season (the first run is considered the 

 highest quality) and from year to year, but many experiments 

 have shown that it takes between 30 and 50 gallons of sap to 

 make a standard weight gallon of syrup or 7 pounds of sugar. 



From the sugar bush we walked across snow covered fields 

 to the old log cabin whose history dates back to Revolutionary 

 War times. Here in the great open fire place the leader prepared 

 supper for us complete with fried potatoes flipped in the pan, 

 Mohonk farm steaks broiled over charcoal and oldfashioned 

 boiled coffee. The flickering candles cast strange shadows on 

 the old log walls. 



After supper we gathered round the crackling fire and sang 

 old time songs to the notes of a guitar. The jingle of sleigh bells 

 announced the arrivals of the straw filled sleighs which were 

 to take us back to the House. 



Sunday morning was spent in exploring the seven inch snow- 

 fall — some on skiis and toboggans, others merely tramping 

 through it to enjoy its beauty. 



Daniel Smiley, Jr. 



Trip of April 29 to Grassy Sprain Ridge, Yonkers 



Sixteen members of the club met at the arboretum of the 

 Boyce Thompson Institute at Grassy Sprain Ridge. 



A short time was spent examining the trees and shrubs 

 growing in the nursery. Then the party went into the woods 



