Here is another photo from Ed in Nova Scotia about the maple syrup process. Ed writes:
I am sending a picture of boiler and holding tank that is in the boiling process for dP to see. I collected approximately 240 litres of sap this morning and with a ratio of 40 to 1 that should result when finished 6 litres of syrup. It evaporates at a rate of approximately 10 litres per hour and will get lesser or greater depending upon temperature and humidity. The gas burner is 80,000 btu’s and is connected by a line that leads to our 1,000 gallon tank. The tap extending out over the boiler has a flow rate that is equal to the rate of evaporation.
The best conditions to receive the maximum flow of sap is a temperature of minus 5 C at night and plus 5 C during the day with sun and a light hazy cloud cover. When the sap has evaporated the water content and the temperature of the sap and when it has reached 220 degrees Celsius it is now syrup ready to bottle and refrigerate. In order to make maple butter or maple candy the syrup is boiled to a higher pre-set temperature.
The season ends when the tree is fully saturated and the sap has reached the dormant buds which begin to swell prior to bursting into leaf. The spiles and pails are removed, washed and put in storage until the following spring. The cutting in the tree will heal in a couple of years as it completely seals itself. It is a most rewarding hobby and I look forward each spring to maple sugar time in Nova Scotia.