Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-06-16
The Maple Sugar Industry in Vermont.
A State Association Suggested.

EDITOR HERALD AND NEWS, Dear Sir;
desire to call the attention OF your
readers who are sugar makers to few
facts in regard to the maple sugar indus
try in this state and to offer suggestion
in regard to this industry. In 1850 the
4 maple sugar production of Vermont was
only 6,349, ,357 pounds and 5,997 gallons OF
syrup. The proportion has steadily in
creased during the past 40 years and in
1899 it amounted to Il, ,921 pounds of
sugar and 21s, ,252 gallons of syrup with a
valuation OF 81 ,2lS, ,S56. The crop of 1890
was larger than that of 1889 but on the
other hand the season just closed was a
disastrous one to sugar makers and the
product fell off nearly or quite one-h half
from the average crop. 1t will, however,
readily be seen from the above figures
that this industry has increased in a.
mount to wonderful extent during this
period and the improvement in quality
has been nearly as marked as the increase
in quantity; and this growth and i'm
provement, large as it is, has been accom-
plished under somewhat adverse condi-
tions owing to adulterations after the
product has left the state, and to a lack OF
any concert OF action and with but little
cooperation among sugar makers. But
it would seem that the time has come
when concert OF action will be necessity
to develop this industry and to sustain
and protect the enviable reputation of the
sugar product of Vermont. For various
reasons, none of them valid, comparative
ly few of the IA, ,337 sugar makers in this
state have availed themselves OF the bene-
fits of the sugar bounty. The regulations
have recently been simplitied and ought
to be better understood and all sugar max
ers should be benefited by the boun y.
Vermont farmers need all the money they
can get in an honest way. The great ex-
position at Chicago next year will give an
opportunity to boom Vermont in a gener-
al way and Vermont maple sugar in par
ticular, and Vermont producers can not
afford to neglect the grand opportunity
which will there be presented to adver-
tise the best sweet on earth. There are
also many questions connected with ma
pie sugar production which ought to be
investigated, discussed and better under
stood than they are at the present time.
In view of these facts and many others
which might be cited, it has been sug
gested that an association of sugar pro-
ducers be formed to assist in improving
the quality, further developing the indus
try, protecting it from fraud at home and
abroad, and securing a remunerative
price which can be obtained for all the
first class sugar or syrup which it is pos
sible to produce in this state. The maple
sugar production, next to that OF the dali
ry, is the most important farm production
in the state. 1t is acknowledged on every
hand that the dairymen's association is of
great importance to the dairy interests Of
the state. The bee-keepers have state as
sociation which does much to sustain the
interest and increase the profits OF the
honey industry of the state. People en-
gagged in other interests and industries
have their associations which are of great
value to them and OF Importance to the
state also. In this connection the YER
mont Maple Sugar Exchange at Brattle-
boro is doing good work for the sugar
interests of the state, especially in the
southern part, but it can not in the ma
ture of things, and does not aim to, take
the place of a state association. 1t would
therefore seem to me that the suggestion
of the formation OF state association OF
sugar producers is eminently proper and
just the thing to do, and l would propose
preliminary meeting of sugar producers
for this purpose and suggest that it be
called at some central point as soon at
least as the early fall months, that proper
action may be taken in regard to the Chi
cago exposition and other important mat
ters which would doubtless be brought
before the association should one be form
ed. should be pleased to hear from ev-
cry maple sugar producer in the state who
favors the formation of a state associa-
ton. ALPHA MEssER,
Rochester, VT, June 8.