The Rural Voice, 2006-03, Page 29That stainless-steel pan was an
example of the willingness of
O'Brien to adapt new technology.
Back then most pans were lead -
soldered but today nearly all pans are
made from stainless steel that is tig-
welded or silver -soldered.
"We have always used stainless-
steel, welded equipment around
here," he says.
Maple syrup making was a
weekend activity back in the early
days. He clearly recalls the moment
he made the decision to abandon his
makeshift arrangements for syrup
production as he struggled to carry a
big old pressure cooker filled with
syrup that wasn't quite finished, from
the bush to the road.
"I finally said 'fish or cut bait',"
he laughs and decided it was time to
get more serious about making syrup.
He built the original sugar house.
Since then there have been a number
of expansions, continuing until the
addition of what is now the show
room in 2002. That room was filled
with containers until the current
renovation which will make it into a
showroom to sell supplies and
equipment to other producers and
maple products for visiting
consumers. "We've been trying to
get in here," he says but it took
evicting the tractor from the
implement shed to make room for
storing the containers to finally get
the renovation underway.
Jn the background workers are
scurrying about, insulating a room
to house the reverse osmosis
machines which remove water from
the sap, and making other changes to
help the syrup -making part of the
operation run smoothly. The show
room now includes a wide selection
of stainless steel fittings and well as
pumps, gauges and other supplies for
making syrup and a selection of their
own maple products.
The O'Briens operate about 2,500
taps on a 112 acres, not all of it
tappable. They also have another
property they lease which they hope
to tap in future.
In general you can get 80-100 taps
per acre, he says, though he advises
people new to the industry to figure
on 75-85. "I'm sort of conservative
in some respects and an optimist in
others."
Asked how much syrup he makes
POLY TANKS
STRONG, DURABLE
CONSTRUCTION
FOR TRANSPORT OR
STORAG E
Sizes from 12 gallons -
15,000 gallons
Hundreds of tanks in stock
ALPINE
PLANT FOODS CORP.
30 Nevilles St.
New Hamburg, Ont.
N3A 4G7
(519) 662-2352
1 (800) 265-2268
Fax: 1 (800) 807-4668
/I
40 Annual
Carne and Celehate 39 yea
with Eta at the annual
BELMORE MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL
Thursday, April 6, 2006 9:30 - 4:00
(on Thursday we cater to Seniors
but ALL are Welcome!)
Saturday, April 8, 2006 8:30 - 7:00
Belmore Community Centre
?� No admission charges
All the MAPLE SYRUP
and PANCAKES you can eat.
Homemade applesauce, sausages and a
beverage are Included with your meal.
'All are served with a SMILE and Country Hospitality '
MEAL PRICE
Adults - 58.00
Children (6 - 11) - $5.00
Children 5 & under - FREE
For your further enjoyment...
• Entertainment for young and old • Local Talent
• Step Dancing • Vocals • Vocal Groups
• Instrumental Acts • Craft Show
• Souvenirs • Local Pork Products
• Homemade Baking • Food Booth
Kids Room (Sat. onty)
All events/facilities are indoors - Handicap Accessible
For further Festival info call 335.3748 or 357-4089
*************
* "Your Maple Supply 'ik
`tt Shack" 4*.
+F We carry a wide selection of
* stainless steel fittings +10
alkt
. "Ihb Tubing
•441'Accessories
• Evaporators
• Tubing
Accessories
• Containers
• Plastic • Glass likilt
• Specialty Glass 4.
Illikt�r !, 493168 Sideroad 10 igtik
ill*l Hale 1 R.R. 1 Priceville, ON NOC 1K0
Richard's Phone 369-3056 Fax 369-6552 1111*
MAPLE SYRUP
414°
PPLIE�
E-mail uncle_richards@bmts.com•
www.unclerichards.com 11101°*************
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MARCH 2006 25