Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-07-11
THE MAPLE SUGAR INDUSTRY.

Publication of the following COM
munication, received some weeks ago
ago, has been delayed by the pressure
of current political matter. We pub
lish very cheerfully and cordially com
mend Mr.. Messer's scheme to the
careful consideration of maple sugar
producers:
Editor Monitor: desire to call the
attention of your readers who are
sugar makers, to few facts in regard
to the maple sugar industry in this
state, and to offer a suggestion in re-
gard to this industry. In 1850 the ma
pie sugar production of Vermont was
only 6,349 ,357 pounds and 5,997 gallons
of syrup. The production has stead
lily increased during the past forty
years, and in 1889 it amounted to A.
123, 921 pounds of sugar and 218, 252
gallons of sryup, valued at 81, 248, 1856.
The production in 1890 was larger than
that of 1889, but on the other hand, dur
ing the season just closed, the product
fell off nearly or quite one half from
the average. 1t will, however, readily
be seen from the above figures that
this industry has increased in amount
to a wonderful extent during this per-
iod, and the improvement in quality
has been nearly as marked as the in
crease in quantity; and this growth
and improvement, large as it is, has
been accomplished under somewhat
adverse conditions owing to adultera
tions after the product has left the
state, and a lack of any concert of ac-
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 sustain and protect the enviable
reputation of the sugar product of
Vermont. For various reasons, none
of them valid, comparatively few of
the Il, 1897 sugar makers in this state
have awaited themselves of the ben
efits of the sugar bounty. The regu-
lations have recently been simplified
and ought to be better understood,
and all sugar makers should be bene
flied by the bounty. Vermont farm
ers need all the money they can get in
an honest way. The great exposition
at Chicago next year will give an OPP
portunity to boom Vermont in gen
eral way, and Vermont sugar produ
GERS cannot afford to neglect the
grand opportunity which will there be
presented to advertise the best sweet
on earth. There are also many ques
tions connected with maple sugar pro-
duction which ought to be Investigate
ed, discussed and better understood
than they are at present.
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
the quality, further devel-
oplDg the industry, protecting it from
fraud at home and abroad, and secur-
ing a remunerative price-Which can
be obtained for all the first-class SUI
gar or syrup which it is possible to
produce in this state. The maple SUI
gar production, next to that of the
dairy, is the most important farm
product in the state. 1t is acknowl-
edged on every hand that the Dairy
mems Association is a great benefit to
the dairy interests of the state. The
beekeepers have a state association
which does much to sustain the inter-
est and increase the profits of honey
industry. People engaged in other
interests and industries have their as
sociations which are of great value to
them and of Importance to the state !
also. In this connection the Vermont |
Maple Sugar Exchange at Brattleboro
is doing a good work for the sugar in
terests of the state, especially in the
southern part, but 1T cannot IN the ma |
ture of things, and does not aim to
take the place of state association.
1t therefore seems to me that the Sug-
gestion Of the formation Of state as
ISOLATION of sugar producers is emf
nently proper and just the thing to do,
and 1 would propose preliminary
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
Chicago Exposition and other impor-
tant matters which would doubtless be
brought before the association should |
one be formed. [ should be pleased |
to hear from every maple sugar pro-
Queer in this state who favors the for
nation of a state association.
ALPHA MESSER.
Rochester, VT June g.