News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1901-02-13
MAPLE SUGAR MAKERS.
Continued Report of Meeting Held in
MOrrisviIIe Last Week.

III
Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday,
last week, afforded benefit and pleas
ure for all present. The weather was
unfavorable for large attendance,
nevertheless the meeting proved to
be a success. The News AND CITIZEN
last week contained an account Ot
the opening of the meeting, held
Tuesday afternoon at Town Hall,
and printed entire the cordial address
of welcome delivered by Hon. Frank
Kenfeld of Morrisville. Continued
below is a complete report of the
meeting:
Alpha Messer OF Rochester, respond
ed in a few wel-chosen words to
the address Of welcome, and then fol
lowed the annual address of the
president, Hon. Victor |. Spear OF
Randolph. A synopsis follows:
"In holding the eighth annual meeting in
MorrisviIle, the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers
association has, in certain sense, completed
the circuit of the state and come back to-day
to the place of nativity, to gather inspiration
for the future and devise ways and means for
future development. Though sometimes use
full to recount the past for the purpose OF de-
ducing useful lessons to be applied co the
future, we should always keep our eyes train
ed for the present and the future, for it Is with
these that we have to do. Our yesterdays
are of no Importance except as chapter or
page or a paragraph in history. We come
here to-day to counsel together as to what
is best for US in the year 1901 and the year
following. To-day the maple sugar industry
is in situation somewhat different than 1t
has ever been in before. The market price Tor
l. l.. l,..ls ,,yIg, 4 nTNDp
on sugar and 25 per cent. on syrup within the
past year and this has come about with
short crop, not exceeding 60 per cent. of the
average crop for the whole state, This con-
dition suggests problem for us to solve at
this meeting and | trust we may be able to
get some useful suggestions as to the cause
and remedy for this unnatural condition"
The speaker at length explained
several reasons why there has been
a downward tendency in the maple
sugar makers market and suggested
that "wbat the market needs at this
time is d more extensive patronage
by the sugar makers of the state;
the fixed expenses would be no more
in handling tour or five times what
has been handledin the past than for
the less amount"
Then taking up the subject of adj
ultrated goods the speaker said:
"There is little that is new to be said re-
garding adultrated goods, which are sold as
"pure Verm Mt maple syrup" and which still
supply most of the trade of the country,
probably rs per cent. or more, with their
syrup. This condition is likely to continue
until a national pure food law is enacted"
\
UMopIo Supor m okorp GbOuld pvar,r
means in their power to forward legislation
of this character. As the maple sugar inter-
est of the country is so small, we probably
can not secure any special national legisla-
ton in our interest, but will have to wait
until a general law covering all products is
possible"
In closing one of the most instruc-
tive and interesting addresses ever
delivered before the V. NJ. S. NJ. A,
President Spear said:
"a large amount of work is being done to
secure a pure food law, and we should in
every way give the measure all the support
we can.
l suppose that all are aware that there is
to he great exhibit of American products
at Buffalo next summer. Our association
has received very favorable terms for making
an exhibit, and at a later session of this
meeting the matter will come before you for
consideration, and for such action as seems
wise
In conclusion | wish to thank the members
of the association for the kindness and sup
port which you have given me for the past
two years, while acting as your president"
TUESDAY EVENING SESSION.
Awarding committees were ap-
pointed after which paper contain
ing much useful information for
maple sugar makers, prepared by
A. W. Fulton, commercial editor of
the New Eng land Homestead, was
read by Al pha Messer.
MIR. Fulton believes that "April and
May are the best months in which to
dispose Of new syrup. Held over
syrup sells better after Jan. ], than
before that time. AS arule, however,
the product should be placed on the
market as soon as made, and pushed
as rapidly as possible without de-
morilizing prices. One-gallon tin
cans with screw tops, for packages
and one-pound cakes and 10-pound
pals for family use are the most pop
ular. Buyers are suspicious of light
sugar, and therefore the label of the
association on packages is a great
help in their disposal. In order to
effect quick sales the price of syrup
can not much exceed IS cents per
gallon, and sugar nine cents per
pound"
Hon. NJ. S. Stone was the next
speaker. He thought it would be
wise TO advise thelegislature to make
an appropriation to send an agent
west to introduce pure maple syrup.
What the product especially required
was to be better and wider known.
In this way competition and the evils
of adulterated goods could be largely
overcome.
Mr.. Messer again held the attention
OF the audience. This time he read q
paper on "The Maple Sugar Season.
which proved to be valuable and was
well received.
Mr.. Whitman recited, Gam l my
Brothers Keeper" and was given 8
hearty hand.
"How can we convince customers
that there are different grades ofsyruI
and sugar." closing number on the
program for that evening, was dis
cussed by several members of the