It may be correct, that “it takes more than one swallow to make a summer;” but the evidence shown in the wood made into lumber after many years “_tapping_” for “_sugar water_” (not sap), is not significant of injury or decay. The cut made by the auger is soon closed over, which, no doubt, would be different if the sugar was obtained from “_the sap_” or wood-producing fluid. The fluid which contains the sugar is no nearer the “_sap_” (or blood of the tree) than is the milk, or other cellular secretion of a gland, near or identical with the blood or life sustaining and constructive element of animal existence. A pioneer who owned a small cluster of sugar trees made his own sugar and some to spare, while those working camps of several thousand trees made it a “profitable calling and supplied others at reasonable rates of exchange,” so no one had occasion to stint or reason to complain. It required some labor and expense to equip a camp for making sugar; but once furnished, the material lasted many years. During the time unoccupied, the furnace and kettles under the shed would be surrounded with a temporary fence--the sugar-troughs, spiles, sled, water-barrel, funnel-buckets, etc., at the ending of the sugar season would be safely housed to remain until the next year. As soon as the icy earth began giving way to mild sunshining days in the latter part of winter, it was considered by the “_sugar-maker_” as the announcement of the near approach of “_sugar weather_.” At such times, on like indications, the “_sugar-troughs_” would be taken from the place of deposit and distributed to the trees; the better ones getting the larger troughs. The water-barrel underwent inspection--the funnel refitted--sled repaired--the pile of dry wood increased--store-room or annex renovated--tubs and buckets soaked--shortage of “_spiles_” and “_sugar-troughs_” made good--furnace and kettles cleaned, and every thing made ready for the work. After this, the first clear frosty morning with the prospect of a thawing day, a man would be seen with an auger passing rapidly from tree to tree, closely followed by another, with a basket and hatchet, who “_drove the spiles_” and set the troughs as fast as the one with the auger made the holes. It would have astonished a Havemeyer[2] to witness the rapidity with which the “_tapping_” was accomplished. In a few moments the surrounding forest seemed sparkling with the beauties of the rainbow, and echoing the music of falling waters, each tree dripping, dripping with a rapidity suggestive of a race and wager held by Nature for the one that first filled the assigned trough with sparkling gems.