The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-07-06
The Maple Sugar Industry.

Publication of the following commune
cation, received some weeks ago, has
been delayed by the pressure of cur
rent political matter. We publish very
cheerfully and cordially commend Mr..
Messer's scheme to the careful consid-
Grafton of maple sugar producers:
Editor Wdtchmdn:-I desire to call the at
tention of your readers who are sugar max
ers, to few facts in regard to the maple
sugar industry in this state and to offer
suggestion in regard to this industry. In
1850 the maple sugar production of YER
mont was only 6,349, 357 pounds and 1897
gallons of syrup. The production has stead
lily increased during the past forty wears,
and in 1889 it amounted to 14,123, 1921 pounds
of sugar and 21S, 252 gallons of syrup, valued
at 81 $50. The production in 1890 was
larger than that of 1899, but on the other
hand. during the season just closed, the
product fell off nearly or quite one.half
from the average. 1t will, however, read
lily be seen from the above figures that this
industry has increased in amount to a won
derful 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 authorizations
after the product has left the state, and to
lack of any concert of action 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 1887 sugar max
ers in this state have availed themselves Of
the benefits of the sugar bounty. The regu-
lations have recently been simplified and
ought to be better understood and all sugar
oil ha hanattaH Nv ha Nv
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 general
way, and Vermont maple sugar in particular,
and Vermont sugar producers cannot afford
to neglect the grand opportunity which
will there be presented to advertise the
best sweet on earth. There are also many
questions connected with maple sugar pro-
duction which ought to be investigated, dis
cussed and better understood than they are
at present.
In view of these facts and many others
which might be cited, it has been suggested
than an association of sugar producers be
formed TO assist in improving the quality,
further developing the industry, protecting
it from fraud at home and abroad, and
securing a remunerative price-which can
be obtained for all the frst-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 acknowl-
edged on every hand that the Dairymen's
Association is great benefit to the dairy
| interests of the state The beekeepers have
state association which does much to sus-
tain the interest and increase the profits of
the honey industry. People engaged 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 Vermont Maple
Sugar Exchange at Brattleboro is doing q
| good work for the sugar interests of the
state, especially 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 therefore seems to me that the suggestion
| of the formation of a state association of
sugar producers is eminently proper and just
the thing TO do, and / would propose pre-
liminary 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 Chicago EXPOSE
ton and other important matters which
would doubtless be brought before the
association should one be formed. l should
be pleased to hear from every maple sugar
producer in this state who favors the forma-
tion of state association.
ALPHA MEssER.
Rochester, VT, June 8.