The Official U.S. Maple Syrup Almanac 2014 2nd Edition | Page 83

were healthy and weaned, they ate a mixture of dog food, crushed corn and apples. It wasn’t long before they regarded Ben as Mama Bear. In late April, ten days after the cubs arrived, he took them for their first walk in the woods, leading the way as a mother bear would, with the cubs unrestrained. They followed close behind, playing in the leaves, thoroughly enjoying themselves. On the second outing, they noticed scents and splashed in the water, and after the forest greened up, they began tasting different plants. When asked how he teaches the cubs what they need to know and what to eat, he replied, “I walk them and give them the opportunity to learn. I expose them to the outside world; it’s more passive teaching and they learn instinctively. Bears will roll a leaf or other food in their mouth to decide if it’s edible.” One day when the cubs found broken tubing leaking sap, one cub began lapping it up Kilham and his original “Den by Ben,” where cubs hibernate during their first winter. as it dripped onto the ground. The other cub wanted some, but the first guy wasn’t about to share, and chased his sister off. She quickly broke off a fitting on a tree and they both lapped up the sap that flowed down the bark. Ben repaired the damage and vacuum once again drew the sap through the line. During their second spring, the cubs came out of hibernation early, probably because of some warm weather and the noise connected AUTOMATIC CONTROLS AND ACCESSORIES FOR MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCTION  From a dial thermometer to remote sap sta�on monitoring by satellite.           MARCLAND provides the best products at the best prices,                        backed up by the best service in the maple industry  economy           draw off  full feature draw off  accessories  visit our      satellite  web site                 and nd                your local  dealer in   CANADA     and the     USA.              www.marcland‐usa.com   U.S. Maple Syrup Almanac stainless  tel and fax  [phone]‐7922  2014 $10 deposit paid back on return of drums Solution 35 Solution 45 • No air left at filling • Empties itself completely • Cleans very easily • Doesn’t dent • Doesn’t rust • Heavy duty • Light resistant • Easy handling • Stack up to 6 high • Made with HDPE, approved for direct contact with food • 100% recyclable 730, Saint-Etienne, L’Assomption, Quebec J5W 1Z1 1 800 964-9771, ext. 5 ◆ 450 589-5627 [email protected] www.anchorplastics.qc.ca 83