Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1892-06-17
The Maple Sugar Industry i'm
Vermont.
a State Association should he Formed
TO Advance the Interests.

TO Advance the Interests.
Editor If The Phoujr-DedJ Sir de-
sire to call the attention of your readers
who are sugar makers to few facts i'm re-
gard to the maple sugar industry in this
state and to offer a suggestion in regard to
it. In 1850 the maple sugar production Of
Vermont was only G,3l0,3j7 pounds and
1907 gallons of syrup. The production
has steadily increased during the past 40
years and i'm 1850 it amounted to II, l23.-
02l pounds Of sugar and 2lS,252 gallons
of syrup with a valuation of 81, PAS, $50.
The crop of 1890 was larger than that of
1889 but on the other hand the season Just
closed was disastrous one to sugar max
crs and the product fell of nearly or quite
one-half from the average crop. 1t will,
however readily be seen from the above
figures that this industry has increased i'm
amount to a wonderful extent during this
period and the improvement in quality has
been nearly as marked as the increase in
quantity; and this growth and improve
ment, large as it is, has been accomplished
under somewhat adverse conditions owing
to authorizations after the product has left
the state, and to lack of any concert of
action and with but little cooperation
among sugar makers. But it would seem
that the time has come when concert of
action will be a necessity to further devel-
op this industry and to sustain and protect
the enviable reputation of the sugar prod
uct of Vermont. For various reasons,
none Of them valid, comparatively few of
the II, 337 sugar makers in this state have
availed themselves of the benefits of the
sugar bounty. The regulations have re-
Gently been simpliiied and ought to be bet
ter 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 exposition at
Chicago next year will give an opportunity
to boom Vermont in a 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,
discussed and better understood than they
are at the present time. In view of these
facts and many others which might be cit
ed, it has been suggested that an associa-
ton of sugar producers be formed to assist
in improving the quality, further develop
ing the industry, protecting it from fraud
eratve 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 pro
duction in the state. 1t is acknowledged
on every hand that the dairymen's assOca-
ton is of great importance to the dairy in
terests of the state. The bee keepers have
state association which does much to sus-
tain the interest and increase the profits of
the honey 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 Yer
mcnt Maple Sugar exchange at Brattleboro
is doing a good work for the sugar inter
ests 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 would therefore seem
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 a preliminary meet
ing 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 10
the Chicago exposition and other impor-
tant matters which would doubtless be
brought before the association, should one
be formed, may be taken. / should be
pleased to hear from every maple sugar
producer in this state who fayors the for
nation of a state association.
ALPHA ME->EE.
Rochester. VI. June q.