Tapped in Agawam

[softmaple]

put 120 taps in this weekend and today we collected 112 gallons of sap. we tested it with a long stem sap hydrometer and it was 2.5 percent. not too bad for norways. can't wait to see what this season will bring.

[mapleman3]

Wow Mike, Already?
I'm no where near ready, hopefully after this weekend I will be set. I will be emailing you also about an Idea I want to run by you and Roseanne.

[softmaple]

ya couldn't wait anymore. our trees were ready. out buckets today will be overfloing again i checked them at noon time. with the cold moving in this week i hope it will charge them back up. i should have a days worth of boiling ahead of us this weekend.

[softmaple]

well we are 7 boiling days in to the season and almost have way through the season ( due to weekend boils only) and we are up to our limits in sap storage. 16 gallons or more so far for 120 trees. im happy with the season so far. last year we only made 21 gallons. need more improvements with sap concentrating though.

[mapleman3]

Mike.. anyway you can get boils in during the week?? even for 3 or so hours???

[softmaple]

3 hours is still to short for us with wood. as you know it turns into 4 or more when everything gets going. may have to think about it thought next week when my wife goes back to work.

[mapleman3]

I know I'm just bustin you Mike, I know you and Rosann are doing the best you can... just don't burn yourself out....

I boiled till 12:30am last night, made 7 gallons, still had enough sap to make another 3 gals... but was getting tired. not sure yet what I will do tonight if the run is full... I have to make candy, peanuts, lollipops for this weekends pancake breakfast.. so may boil some tonight but may hold it and tomorrows and do a marathon 20+ gallon syrup day on Sat. I'm at 36 gals of mostly all medium so far.

[softmaple]

our bush in feeding hills today got only 17 gallons which on good days 30 gallons and for us down by the river was pretty full at lunch so maybe 80 gallons or so. we made 8 medium 8 dark and some 5 grade b. give or take a few were around 21 gallons so far. we are getting darker due to being behind on the sap boiling.

[PrimitiveOperation]

Sounds like you're in the same situation we're in on the other side of town. We got hit hard with good runs and got backed up a bit. My brother has been coming over and boiling all day. If he didn't do that I don't think there would be much hope without atleast a 2x6.

[softmaple]

ya it was real bad for us but i think were caught up now. we only have 120 taps so im happy with the season so far

[softmaple]

we are up to 37 gallons so far this season with a projected 8 more gallons to go this weekend. not knowing what next week will bring i hope to hit 50 gallons. its been a long hard season for us, with our wood supply getting smaller the search is on for more fuel for next year.

[cropseyvillemark]

It sounds like you and the Mrs. have spent some seroius time in the Maplehut.That's a lot of syrup for the old rig.I hope you get to 50 gal.. I was hoping for 100,but I too am running out of wood. Good luck!

[Maplewalnut]

softmaple- I feel your pain! I was crazy enough to put in 135 taps this year, of all years to try a little extra.

[mapleman3]

Nice Mike... get more pallets.. hang tight you'll get there. I'm hoping for 100 gals
still have fuel for it so I'm just hoping for another week of sap !! the weather still looks good :)

[softmaple]

well we are done, we finnished with about 45 gallons this year and a whole lot less wood. we had some realy long days and nights. 16 to be exact due to weekend boiling only, but here comes the best part. CLEANING and reworking new methods for next year

[TapME]

That's a pretty good ratio of syrup to taps. Will you send some to us northern New Englanders. Thanks

[mapleman3]

GreatJob Mike and Rosanne, next year you'll be even more efficient :)
each year we learn so much from ourselves....

I think tonight is my last night and sat/sun are cleaning days... unless I squeak out another days worth of fuel tomorrow, but I really think the tank will run dry tonight... if I have to I will finish whats in the pan on the turkey fryer ;)