The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-06-17
The Maple Sugar Industry in
Vermont.


Dear SILL desire to call the attention
OF your readers who are sugar makers to a
rev Iacts IN regard to the maple sugar in
dustry in this state and to offer a suggestion
IN regard to this industry. In 1850 the
maple sugar production of Vermont was
only o,54g,357 pounds and 1896 gallons of
syrup. The production has steadily increas-
ed during the past 40 years and in 1889 it
amounted al TO IA, 1891 pounds of sugar and
o,S01 gallons OF syrup with a valuation of
Sl,zoo,oo6. The crop of 1890 was larger
IMAM that of 1889 but on the other hand the
season just closed was disastrous one to
sugar makers and the product fell Off near
~ or quite one-half from the average crop.
IL Will, however, readily be seen from the
ABOVE hgureS that this industry has increased
III amount to wonderful extent during this
period and the Improvement in quality has
oeeh nearly as marked as the increase in
quantity; and this growth aud Improvement
large as it is. has been Accomplished under
somewhat adverse conditions owing to adj
ultratlonS after the product has left the
state, and to lack of any concert of action
ana with but little cooperation among sug-
ar makers. But it would seem that the time
mas come when concert of action will be a
necessity to further develop this industry
and TO sustain and protect the enviable repu-
OF cne sugar product Of Vermont. For
various reasons, none of them valid. COM
paratlvely few of the 1887 sugar makers
IN thls state have ayAiled themselves of the
DEMENT'S of the sugar bounty, The regula-
lions have recently been simplified and
ought to be better understood 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 eX-
poSltlon at Chicago next year will give an
opportunity to boom Vermont in general
way and Vermont maple sugar in particu-
lar, and Vermont sugar producers cannot
AFFORD to neglect the grand opportunity
when VIII there be presented to advertise
the pest sweet on earth. There are also
many questions connected with maple
sugar production which ought to be inyeSti-
gated, discussed and better understood than
they are at the present time. In view of
these facts and many others which might be
cited, 1t has been suggested that an aSSOcIa-
tlon OF sugar producers be formed 70 assist
IN improving the quality, further develop
ing the industry, protecting it from fraud
at nome and abroad, and securing a remu-
neratlve price which can be obtained for all
the hrSt class sugar or syrup which it is
possible to produe in this state. The maple
sugar production, next to that Of the dairy,
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 beekeeperS have state as
SOciatiOnS which does much to sustain the
interest and increase the profits of the hon
ey interests 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. Built
cannot in the nature of things. and does
not aim to take place of state aSsocia-
ton 1t would therefore seem to me that
the suggestion of the formation of of a state
association Of sugar producers is eminently
proper and just the thing to do, and would
propose preliminary meeting of sugar pro-
ducers for this purpose aud suggest that
it will be called at some central point as
soon at least as the early fall months that
proper action in regard to tn Chicago ex-
position and other important matterswhich
would doubtless be brought before the as
should one be formed may be
taken. | should be pleased to hear from
every maple sugar producer i'll this state
who fayors the formation of a state associa-
ion.
ALPHA MEssER,
Rochester, VT, June Q. 1892.