New December Journal

[PATheron]

Brandon- Im a vac man through and through but I like the idea of running that bush that way for this year for ease of installation and money etc. I would definitely run my tube differently if I had no ideas of running vac. I read a bunch of those studies the governor had posted and there is definitely something to the long loaded lats on gravity. Our problem here is without vac some years we just get totally skunked so ill always run vac but Ill let you know how that bush performs if I can get it in. Im thinking Im going to run 50 taps per lat. Im just going to hook up trees. Has to be easy if I do it becouse my shoulders and elbows are killing me. Hey, it wont cost too much and whatever I get is all bonus. Doug- Ill get you some numbers to some extent. Itll just depend on how up against the clock I get. Main objective is a lot of full barrells. I know your just giving me crap anyway. It would be neat to see how I average across the board with the different stuff going on. One thing Im curious to watch is the difference in the saddles Ive installed. Last year I ran all cdl clip on ones and this year I have a bunch of the older style cdl ones with the two tilewraps. Brandon- Your going to be famous now up here with a bush named after you. Ill even keep the name once I put it to vac. Theron

[Dave Y]

Theron, I realize you are trying to put in more new taps than the Canadians this year. But, A steady Controled growth plan will serve you better than a "I have to tap every thing in sight because I can't stand to look at a maple tree in March without a tap in It" Plan. This bush that you are wanting to run long laterails in, would serve you better if you did every thing by the book. When you put vacuum in it will have cost you less, and have less work and a greater reward. Any job worth doing is worth doing right the first time.

[dano2840]

definatly do every thing by the book, wheni was learning last year and i did some things by the book and others i didnt, i ended up replacing things in the middle of runs it was a pain, i learned to just do it right the 1st time especially if you plan to do vacuum,

[3% Solution]

Hey PA,
I agree with DaveY, if you can't do it right the first time, hold off until you can. That first attempt is is just wasted $$$'s.
Don't look at the # of barrels, look at what mother nature will give you and call it good.
We made 37.5 gallons last year and we would like to make 40 on the same # of taps, but if we make less than last year, oh well!
Anyway, you no doubt are doing it right and you would like to make a living at sugaring.
Kodos to you and I wish you the best doing it!! :-)
Snowing here, 3" on the ground and still falling.

Dave

[PATheron]

Guys- I agree with you guys a 100%. I figure the stuff at my house on the pump is my main setup and that is 100%. Whatever those trees are capable of will be gotten. My thought on the other bush is something that will be deliberately tubed to cater to the vac setup maybe next year. The lats will run such that they can be halved and run into mainlines. It may not end up quite as perfect but Im waying that out. I know my business model seems a little unconventional but I cant help the feelings of extreme anxiety and mental anguish I have when I think I may have forgotten a tree somewhere. These syrup prices are cause for desperate measures. Im still picking up buckets too. Ill have to see what happens. I dont even know what Im going to do half the time so theres no telling whats going to happen. I do have a question for you guys though. ON gravity do you think a used 7/16 plastic spile will out perform a new 5/16 one? Theron.

[Dave Y]

Theron,

Breath, exhale, think, repeat!

[RileySugarbush]

Yes. Try to relax and think of those untapped trees as room for future expansion.

If you use them all up now, how can you obsessively add taps in the future! You will be bored if you just have to live with the status quo.

[PATheron]

Dave- I appreciate you guys giving me good common sense advise and I know you guys are probly right but Ive never made any claims to be rational. Im going with Parker on my business plan. I think him and I really connect somehow. He says you gotta WAAAAAAAANNNNNNT IT!!! BIGSAP UPDATES and BIGSAP weather alerts right around the corner. Theron

[Jim Brown]

Theron; from our limited experence I have found that there is not a noticable diffrence between 5/16 and 7/16 on natural flow.


Jim

[dano2840]

what is this BIGSAP thing all about??????