[Syrupmakers] Goldens' No. 3

[b.lipe at att.net]

I don't know why my back and hands are sore. Wonder if handling all the pieces three or four times has anything to do with it?
Clean up of the "beast" is going well. The electrolytic rust removal works very well. That, combined with a bead blaster really cleans everything up without romoving material or pitting like a sand blaster does.
I've got two journals that will require major rework. One small roller and the bottom end of the main. New bearings will be needed but I haven't decided which route to go. Brass, bronze, babbitt, or nylon? I can see some advantages with the nylon in that possible lubricant contamination of the juice would be minimized.
I'm wanting to power the mill with other than horses or mules. Don't have quite enough grandkids, so that option is out also. Any suggestions? I do want to be able to put the mill back in its original configuration if I end up selling it.
The ground doesn't want to warm up or get dry enough to plant. I ended up with three varieties from Mississippi State, Theis, Topper-76, and M81-E. Dale wasn't available this year. I've several small ( 1/4 acre or less) places to plant it just to see how it does in this soil. It varies from a reddish clay, kinda like north Alabama, to good dark bottom land dirt. Are there any issues with cross pollenation?
Wife is back from helping the neighbor milk her goats, so it's time to start getting ready for bed and see what tomorrow will bring.

Bruce in Avilla, Arkansas
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