Upon the top of this cistern there should be a linen strainer fixed, through which the sap brought in the buckets should pass.

7. A shed and walls for the fire places, to be erected

of stone or clay (of both which there are plenty in the country) of sufficient length for the 16 boilers ; which shed should be covered so as to keep out the weather, 10-10-0

8. Sugar moulds may be made of seasoned boards,

until earthen ones can be procured, 1-10-0

9. Pickers (so called by the sugar-bakers,) to run up

the moulds, may be also made of hard-wood

found in the country, 0- 9-0

10. Spouts for the trees, 3,200 in all,. . . , 6-10-0

11. Wooden gutters and narrow troughs for facilitating

labour, 1-10-0

Total cost, ^65- 0-0

These are the whole implements that are required for a sugar work in America, all which, it is to be observed, excepting the 16 kettles, the two iron ladles, and the four augers, are prepared by the workmen themselves, from the resources they find in the country. If, however, a large work were to be established, the expence would probably be less in proportion, than upon the scale of four men engaged in this pursuit.

Season for tapping. -- By trials in February each year, it will be discovered when the maple-tree ought to be bored, for the

]124 PAPERS RELATING TO

purpose of extracting the syrup or sap ; as in that month, sometimes earlier and sometimes later, it begins to yield a sufficient quantity for commencing business.