News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1892-06-23
the Maple Sugar Industry in Yer
mont,

mont.
EDITCR, News & CITIZEN
Dear Sir:-I desire to call the atten
ton of your readers who are sugar
makers to a few facts in regard to
the maple sugar industry in this
state and to offer suggestion in re-
gard to this industry In 1850 the
maple production of Vermont was
only 6,349,357 pounds and 5,997
gallons of syrup. The production
has steadily increased during the
past 40 years and in 1889 it amount
ed to 14,123,9 21 pounds of sugar
and 21S,2 gallons of syrup with
valuation of $1.24S, $50. 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 prod
uct fell off nearly or quite one-half
from the average crop. 1t will, how
ever readily be seen from the above
figures that this industry has in
creased in amount to wonderful ex-
tent during this period, and the i'm
proVement in the quality has been
nearly as marked as the increase in
quantity; and this growth and i'm
provement, large as it is, has been
accomplished under somewhat averse
conditions, owing to authorizations
after the product has left the state,
and to a lack of any concert of ac-
ton and with but little cooperation
among sugar makers. But it would
that the time has come when concert
of action will be a necessity to fur
ther develop this industry and to
sustain and protect the enviable rep
utation of the sugar product of Yer
mont. For various reasons, none of
them valid, comparatively few of the
IA, 1897 sugar makers in this state
have awaited themselves of the bene-
fits of the sugar bounty. The reg u
lations have recently been simplified
and ought to be better understood,
and all sugar makers should be bene-
flied by the bounty. Vermont far
mers 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 Yer
mont in a general way, and Vermont
maple sugar in particular, and Yer
mo2t sugar producers can 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 production which ought
to be investigated, discussed and
better understood than they are at
the present time. Inview 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 indus
try, protecting it at home and
abroad, and securing a remunerative
price which can be obtained for all
the first 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 impor-
tant farm production in the state.
1t is acknowledged on every hand
that the dairymen's association is of
great Importance to the dairy inter
estS of the state. The bee-keeperS
have state association which does
much to sustain the interest and in
crease the profits of the honey indust-
ry OF the state. 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 a good work
for the sugar interests of the state,
especially in the southern part, but it
can not in the nature of things, and
does not aim co, take the place of a
state association. 1t would therefore
seem to me that the suggestion of a
formation of a state association of
sugar producers is eminently proper
and just the thing to do, andI would
propose q 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 matters
which would doubtless be brought
before the association should one be
formed. | should be pleased to hear
from every maple sugar producer in
this state who favors the formation
of q state association.
ALPHA MEssER.