The Rural Voice, 2003-03, Page 26The huge improvements in maple
syrup production are evident in the
sugar shanty where the most modern
method of producing syrup is on
display. Here visitors can see the
modern evaporator, complete with
pre -heating hood, sap pan, syrup pan,
finishing pan and canner.
Outside, visitors see the
pipelines that are used in
modern syrup making and
(earn their advantages: though the
previous experience of carrying sap
must have already made one of the
advantages obvious. Also on display
is an exhibit showing the advances in
spile-making over time, emphasizing
the improvements to the collection of
sap and syrup production.
At this same display there's an
intermediate step in the evolution of
syrup -making between carrying sap
buckets on a yoke and the modern
pipeline. The picturesque horse-
drawn sleigh with a collection barrel
on back, a mainstay in syrup making
until a few decades ago, is brought
back for visitors to see.
Here at the sugar shanty visitors
get a chance for a sneak preview,
tasting the syrup that is almost ready.
POLY TANKS
STRONG, DURABLE
CONSTRUCTION
FOR TRANSPORT OR
STORAGE
Sizes from 12 gallons -
15,000 gallons
Hundreds of tanks in stock
ALPINE
PLANT FOODS CORP.
30 Neville St.
New Hamburg, Ont.
NOB 2G0
(519) 662-2352
1 (800) 265-2268
Fax: 1 (800) 807-4668
22 THE RURAL VOICE
Just being in the bush in the first
warm days of spring is a wonderful
experience and visitors can take some
time to explore and (earn more about
syrup making with a short hike along
the nature trail. Along the way they
will discover other related maple
syrup information such as which side
of the tree produces the most syrup,
how many taps to put in a tree and
how to manage your sugar bush, as
well as various conservation
messages.
Back at the Sutherland Centre,
students watch a video that reviews
the process and discusses the grading
that maple syrup goes through. They
learn why maple syrup is fairly
expensive when compared to other
commodities.
And having had their tastebuds
tempted so often during the visit,
they are finally rewarded with a taste
of real finished maple syrup before
their tour is completed.
Those wanting to book tours of
Saugeen Bluffs should call the
Saugeen Valley Conservation
Authority at 364-1255.0
ifs Naple S'rtp'
For A Taste of Spring
Visit these Producers & Festivals
Ontario Maple Syrup ith
Producers Association
THE SAUGEEN VALLEY
CONSERVATION
FOUNDATION
presents
Maple Madness
Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area
(3 km. North of Paisley off of Cty. Rd. N3)
Saturday and Sunday
March 29 & 30 (10 am - 4 pm)
519-364-1255
www.svca.on.ca
Speinittirne an the latm.
att.4tcCully'a Still - St .M.atlf{.a
4j�� Weekend Sugarbush Tours
(`� March 1 to Apr. 6
* Pancake brunches * Horse-drawn rides
* Old time syrup making * Taffy on snow
* Baby Iambs and bunnies
* Music and special events
Wool Festival
March 8 8 9
Farm store open daily 10 to 5
Groups welcome
1 -866 -McCully (622-8559)
www.mccullys.ca
MAGWOOD
Maple Treats
Offering a
Complete
line
Zine of
if,
Maple
Products i
Syrup
Butter
Jelly
Sugars
Products available year round
Jim/Dianne Magwood
519-364-1932
Located 1 mile north of Zellers (Hanover)
Grey Rd. 28 #033489
Genie Taste
The Tradition
at the World's
Largest
Maple Syrup
Festival
Saturday, April 5th, 2003
From 7:00 a.m. - 4 p.m.
for more information call:
519-669-2605 or 1-877-969-0094
or www.elmiramaplesyrup.com