Several weeks ago, in Coshocton county, I ran across a system of feeder lines and a collection tank that are used to collect sap from maple trees. So today I was delighted when I inadvertently ran across a small operation that takes the sap, cooks it down into maple syrup, and bottles it for retail sale. I found this maple syrup operation in full swing when I drove a couple of Amish ladies and children from Berlin to a farm east of Walnut Creek, Ohio. I love the name of this Amish owned business: TAP-TAP MAPLE. The owners are brothers, Josiah and James Mast. I talked with Josiah about their operation. He said that this is their first year in the business. I always knew it takes a lot of sap to make a gallon of maple syrup but I was amazed when he said that it takes about 40 gallons of sap to get one gallon of syrup. I use to think pure maple syrup was very expensive but now I see why it has a high price tag. Josiah said this has been a very good year for those in the syrup business; their season started on February 7 and is just coming to an end. They’ve currently produced 660 gallons this year and he expects to end up at around 700. That’s a lot of syrup!