St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1892-06-23
for the Farm.
THE MAPLE SUGAR INDUSTRY
IN VERMONT.
An Association Suggested.

An Association SuSScStCU'
EDITOR CALEDoNIAN:-
Dear Sir-I desire to call the at
tention of your readers who are
sugar makers to a few facts in Iegard
to the maple sugar industry In this
state and to offer a suggestion in
regard to this industry. In 1850
the maple sugar production OF Yer
mont was only 5,349, 1897 pounds
and 5,997 gallons of syrup. The
production has steadily increased
during the past 40 years and in 1889
it amounted to 14,123,912 pounds
of sugar and 21S,252 gallons of
syrup, with a valuation of 81 ,24S,-
926. The crop of 1890 was larger
than that of 1889, but on the other
hand the season just closed was
disastrous one to sugar makers and
the product fell off nearly or quite
one-half from the average crop. 1t
will, however, readily be seen from
the above figures that this industry
has increased in amount to a
wonderful extent during this period
and the improvement In quality has
been nearly as marked as the increase
in quantity; and this growth and
improvement, large as it is, has been
accomplished under somewhat adj
verse conditions owing to adultera-
lions after the product has left the
state, and lack of any concert OF &C
ton and with but little co-opera ton
among sugar makers. But it would
seem that the time has come when
concert of action will be a necessity
to further develop this industry and
to abstain and protect the envlable
reputation of the sugar product of
Vermont. For various reasons,
none of them valid. comparatively
few of the 1896 sugar makers in
this state have awaited themselves of
the benefits of the sugar bounty.
The regulations have recently been
simplifed and ought to be better
understood, and all sugar makers
should be benefited by the bounty.
Vermont farmers need all the money
they can get in an honest way. The
great exposition at Chicago next
year will give an opportunity to
boom Vermont in general way and
Vermont maple sugar in particular,
and Vermont sugar producers can
not afford to neglect the grand op-
portunity which will there be pre-
sented to advertise the best sweets
on earth. There are also many
questions connected with maple
sugar production which ought to be
investigated, discussed and better
than they are at the
present time. In view of these facts
and many others which might be
cited, it has been suggested that an
association of sugar producers be
formed to assist in improving the
quality, further developing the in
dustry, protecting it from fraud at
home and abroad, and securing a
price which can be |
obtained on all the hrst-class sugar
or syrup which it is possible to
produce in this state. The maple |
sugar production, next to that of the |
dairy, is the most important
farm product in the state. 1t is
ackno wledged on every hand that
the dairymen's association is of
great Importance to the dairy |
interests of the state. The bee
keepers have a state association
which does much to sustain the
interest and increase the profits of
the honey industry in the state.
People engaged in other interests
and industries have their associa-
tons which are of great value to
them and of importance to the state
also. In this connection the Yer
mont Maple Sugar Exchange at
Brattleboro is doing a good work
or the sugar interests of the state,
in the southern part, but
it cannot, in the nature of things,
and does not aim to, take the place
Of a state association. 1t would
therefore seem to me that the sug-
gestion of the formation of a state
of sugar producers is
proper and just the thing
to do, and l would propose a pre-
urinary meeting of sugar producers
or this purpose and suggest that it
De called at some central point in
The early fall months, that proper
action may be taken in regard to the
Chicago exposition and other i'm
oortant matters which would doubt
ess be brought before the associa-
ton should one be formed. | should
be pleased to hear from every maple
sugar producer in this state who
ravors the formation of a state as
ISOLATION. ALPHA MESSER.
Rochester, VT, June 25.