Native Americans.

Maple sugar was an important part of the Native American diet in the early spring. In late February, the "Sap Moon" in the Algonquian calender, the maple sugar season began. At this time the Indians moved to the sugar bush camps so they could be close to the maple grove. In order to keep the grove productive, the Indians maintained it by removing brush, girdling and burning old trees, and taking care of replacement saplings.

Festive Occasion.

The work of maple sugaring was shared by men and women; it was one of the few times during the year that their work was integrated. The men cut wood for fires to heat the stones and kettles, and they hunted and fished for the camp. The women had the job of actually tapping the trees, which they did by cutting horizontal gashes in...