The Somerset Herald And Farmers' And Mechanics' Register

From the Albany Journal.

Maple Sugar.

The season for making Maple Sugar being near at hand, and as very many are ignorant or negligent of the best method of manufacturing it, (judging from the samples annually presented in the market) we have thought it might be useful to copy the following from the Report of the Commissioners of Patents (Mr. Ellsworth's) for 1844:

Rutland, N. Y. Dec. 22, 1844.

Sir:—Your favor of December 4th was duly received, and I am happy to inform you, as far as I am able, what you desire to know of the process by which I made that sugar of which you have seen a small sample. First the plan and manner of tapping the trees in this town is very nearly the same, that is, with a half-inch or five-eighths auger, and a spile inserted in the hole, and a pine tub to catch the sap from each tree. I gather my sap into one large reservoir once in 24 hours, then it is boiled each day to sirup, which is about half the sweetness of molasses. It is then taken out and strained through a flannel cloth, and put into a tub or barrel to cool and settle for 12 hours—(I use a sheet-iron pan set in a arch of brick, the pan is made of Russia iron, eight feet long, four feet wide, and six inches deep;) it is then taken out, and I am careful not to move the bottom where it has settled, and place it in a kettle and heat it to 98 degrees.

I then add (for 100 pounds) the whites of four eggs, two quarts of milk, and one ounce of salaratus—the eggs will beat up, and the saleratus well dissolved—and the whole well together in the sirup, and when the scum has all risen, it is to be taken off, and be sure it does not boil before you have done skimming it. Then it is boiled until it is done which you will know by dropping some into water, which if done will form a wax. It then must be taken from the kettle, and placed in tin pans to cool and form grain and as soon as the grain is sufficiently formed I then pour it into tunnel shaped boxes to drain, and after 24 hours I place a flannel cloth on the top; and take the plug from the bottom and let it drain. The flannel cloth I keep wet from day to day. The sample which you have seen was done in this way, with the addition of being repeated after once draining. Should you wish for further information, or a more extensive sample, please send me word to that effect and it will be cheerfully given. You will please accept my thanks for your kindness.

Yours, &c.,

MOSES EAMES.

Hon. H. L. Ellsworth.