When the sap has been drawn from the tree it is generally boiled down until it crystallizes or sugars; it is then poured into moulds, and hardens; this is the favorite way among the farmers for keeping Maple Sugar. In former times no woman took part in the maple-sugar manufacture. The men used first to tap the trees, and then boil the sap over wood fires that they would build in the neighborhood of the sugar bush, as the maple grove is called. The men used iron kettles to boil the sugar, and did not take as much care as they might have done to see that the kettle was not rusty, or that no twigs or leaves fell in, and so a boiling of sugar sometimes would be spoiled. Nowadays the women go along to the sugaring with the men. The boiling is done under cover, and it is the duty of the women to see that the kettles are properly cleaned and scoured. As the men do not have to divide their attention between boiling the sugar and gathering the sap, and both processes are in the charge of special people, the result is that the sugar is much better. If you ever have a chance to go to a sugar camp, go. It is great fun. Shortly before the syrup sugars the boys and girls pour it on ice or snow, or into cold water; this hardens it so that it can be held in the fingers like candy. The process is called "waxing" sugar. GENIE H. ROSENFELD. INVENTION AND DISCOVERY. A NEW INKSTAND has lately been patented. The great trouble we all have with our ink is that it thickens so quickly if we are not very careful to cover the inkstand after using. The new ink-well, to save this trouble, is self-closing. [Illustration] One lid of the well is made in the shape of a half circle, and is fitted into a groove made to receive it. When a person wishes to dip the pen in the ink, the touch of the pen slides the curved lid back; and then directly the pen is drawn out, the lid slides back into place again and the ink is protected. NEW FLOWER-POT.--To people who really love flowers, the new flower-pot holder should prove a very great treasure. It is to be made in china, and very prettily decorated, and its novelty consists in the plan of making it with an upper and lower chamber. The upper part holds the flower-pot, and the lower collects the water that trickles through the pot, and keeps it away from the roots of the flower, thus preventing the plant from standing in water and rotting. [Illustration] The upper and lower portions are connected by a perforated grating, through which the water is carried off. G.H.R. LETTERS FROM OUR YOUNG FRIENDS. We have to acknowledge a great number of letters this week; so many, indeed, that want of space prevents publishing them all. From the Dartmouth Street School, Worcester, we have three letters. Etta H., Annie H., and Roy R. have sent us delightful little notes, telling us how much they enjoy THE GREAT ROUND WORLD.