Nostalgic Look Of Buckets

[johnpma]

Remember as a kid on my great grandfathers farm all the hard work associated with sugaring. Tapping, hanging the buckets, cutting the fire wood, using the draft horses to gather the sap, and then boiling on this long "monster" homemade evaporator with a long homemade flat pan. The only way I ever remember him testing his complete syrup was with a wooden spoon.

As I drive through town I see tubing hanging all over the woods. I see large plastic storage containers, barrels, vacuum pumps, and pump houses, modern sugar shacks.....

It makes me realize how much the industry has evolved, but more so how enjoyable it was to be able to spend that time with my family as a kid sugaring.

Something about that bucket hanging on the tree brings back some of the best memories ever.

[DaveB]

I still put out some roadside buckets just for that look. I tap the maple trees around our church and you have to have buckets...it just wouldn't look right with out them. Every time I put one up, I just love that sound of the sap dripping!

[johnpma]

I still put out some roadside buckets just for that look. I tap the maple trees around our church and you have to have buckets...it just wouldn't look right with out them. Every time I put one up, I just love that sound of the sap dripping! Ting ting ting......music to a sugar maker's ears :)

[Biz]

My cousin and I had 300 of the classic red wooden buckets back in the 70's. Only about a mile from johnpma! Used by my grandfather, through maybe the 1930's or 40's. My dad who is 91 remembers using them. They had to be swelled, and repainted every 3-4 years, but they worked out fairly well. Lost a couple each year to old age but there was still a large stash for replacements. Kept sap cooler than metal buckets on warm days.

Dave

[johnpma]

My cousin and I had 300 of the classic red wooden buckets back in the 70's. Only about a mile from johnpma! Used by my grandfather, through maybe the 1930's or 40's. My dad who is 91 remembers using them. They had to be swelled, and repainted every 3-4 years, but they worked out fairly well. Lost a couple each year to old age but there was still a large stash for replacements. Kept sap cooler than metal buckets on warm days.

Dave I love that story Dave!! Did your grangfather make the buckets himself? I still see some wooden buckets around now and then.

[Biz]

No idea where they came from. I still have a few that I use. The old woodworking shop (now Bisbee Mill Museum) made many wooden implements back in the day but no sign that they ever made buckets. However there is a jig that originally connected to a wide belt going to the water powered shafts, that drilled holes in the old style wooden spouts! It's on display in the museum.

Bascoms has a bunch of wooden buckets for sale, $20 apiece. But they aren't red, they are silver. Canadian colors maybe?

Dave

[groomer_guy]

Ting ting ting......music to a sugar maker's ears :)
I agree this is music to a sugar maker's ears. I still use buckets because I like the old school look. Maybe someday I will put up some tubing but we will see.