Everett Phillips Cane Syrup

Sometimes you get lucky and have a day that's fun. That's how I felt after spending a delightful day with the Phillips family and their friends.

Now, for all you Yankee's ( including me) you don't shake hands when you meet someone new- you hug. That's what I was told by Mrs. Phillip's. I really like that because everyone needs a good hug right?

Marie and Ted and their daughter Amanda invited me to see how Mr. Phillip's makes cane syrup. I now have had the first hand experience on how it is done.

Sugar Cane is a perennial crop. The canes are harvested after Thanksgiving or before the first  frost. The cane is harvested with a machete and cut close to the ground. Sugar cane is a cold-sensitive perennial, the roots are covered which will keep the plant safe until next spring when a whole new batch of homegrown sugar will rise from the ground as soon as the soil warms up enough.

The cane is cut, stored and ready to crush. To do this someone rides a tractor in a circle which turns the press and sugary juice comes out of the cane.

As the pole is turned you have to remember to duck, otherwise you are gonna have a good bump on your head.

I made up an album of other photos that I think you might like. 

Many, many thanks to Marie and Ted for inviting me and to Everett and Kathy Phillips for their hospitality.