An article in today's Union Leader said a century ago NH trees regularly produced 3.5% sugar and now average 2%. The story accounts for the change due to earlier thaws because of new climate conditions.

I can believe that, but wonder if there are other variables at work like a higher percentage of road-side tapping back then with large-canopy trees or more ice-chucking out of pails hung on trees. I'm not sure which data sources they use, either. Was there an exchange that tracked sap sugar back then or just a couple of farmer logs they could use?

My first two collections this year were 2%. I seem to always be around there, but got down to 1% at the end of last season. Since it's colder in Canada, are they getting sweeter sap than us?

Anyway, I expect the whole state is running well today. We got some morning sun in the southern area to keep this multi-day run moving. Guess we'll all be boiling tonight (or for some of you, holding some for Maple Weekend).