The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-06-24
The Maple Sugar Industry in Vermont


The Maple Sugar Industry in Vermont
Editor Of the Bdnner.-DEAR SIR
desire to call the attention of your
readers who are sugar makers TO rev
facts in regard to the maple sugar indus
try in this State and to offer sugges-
ton in regard to this industry. In 1850
the maple sugar production of Vermont
was only 6, 949, 1851 pounds and 6,991 gal
Ions of syrup. The production has
steadily increased during the past 40
wears and in 1889 it amounted to IA, 123,.
921 pounds of sugar and 2lS,252 gallons
of syrup with valuation of 81, PAS, 1856.
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 OIL
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 wonderful
extent during this period and the I'M
provement 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 adverse conditions, owing to
authorizations after the product has LETT
the state, and to lack of any concert OF
of action and with but little co-opera-
ton among sugar makers. But 1t would
seem that the time has come when con
cert of action will be necessity to fur
ther develop this industry and to sus-
tain and protect the enviable reputation
of the sugar product of Vermont. For
various reasons, none of them valid,
comparatively few of the 1887 sugar
makers in this State haYe availed them
selves of the benefits of the sugar boun-
ty. The regulations have recently been
simplifed and ought to be better under
stood 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 oppor-
tunity to boom Vermont maple sugar in
particular, and Vermont sugar produc-
ers cannot afford to neglect the grand
opportunity which will there be present
ed 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 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 improv-
ing the quality, further developing the
industry, protecting it from fraud at
home and abroad, and securing a re-
munerative 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 important
| farm production in the State. 1t is ac-
knowledged on every hand that the
dairymen's association is of great i'm
portance to the dairy interests of the
State. The bee keepers have State
association which does much to sustain
the interests and increase the profits OF
the honey interests of the State. Peo-
| pie engaged in other interests and indus
tries 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 good work for the
sugar interests Of the State, especially in
the southern part, but it cannot be in
the nature of things, and does not aim
to take the place of State association.
1t would, therefore, seem to me that the
suggestion of the formation of State
association Of sugar producers is emf,
nently proper and just thing to do, and
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 in regard tc
the Chicago exposition and other i'm
portant matters which would doubtless
be brought before the association, should
one be formed, may be taken. l should
be pleased to hear from every maple
sugar producer in the State who favori
ALPHA MEssER.
Rochester, vt, June 9th.
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