The Bovine Bugle

TURNING SAP INTO 128 GALLONS OF SYRUP

The sap had run well Thursday afternoon and Friday and needed to be gathered today. We had a good crew on hand to pick up the sap, but we weren't sure who would do the boiling. Dad boiled for 8 hours yesterday and was feeling a little under the weather. We finished gathering around 2 p.m. I had to start the afternoon milking around 3 p.m., so my brother, Steve; my brother-in-law, Jeff; and my son, Ben, would do the sap boiling. Dad did come up to the sugarhouse to get them started, but after that they were on their own. They did a good job. Ben really enjoyed being in charge of drawing off the syrup and firing the arch. I think it had been at least 10 years since anyone besides Dad had done any of the boiling. We made almost 40 gallons of syrup the past two days. This brings the season total to 128 gallons thus far.

--Jonathan, Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont