SECRETARY'S REPORT. 193 



season of making, occupying but three or four weeks from the 

 commencement. 



Previous to 1840, more sugar and molasses was made per annum 

 than for ten years following. Dr. Jackson, in his geological report 

 for 18.38, gives some statistics showing the amount of sugar made 

 in five towns in the county the year previous. These are given to 

 show to what extent the business was then carried on : 



At the Forks of the Kennebec, 12 persons 3,650 lbs. of sugar. 

 On No. 1, 2d Kange, one man and boy, 1,000 " 

 In Bingham, 25 families, 9,000 " 



In Moscow, 30 families, 10,500 " 



In Concord, 30 families, 11,000 " 



tt 



Whole number of pounds, 35,150 



This at twelve and a half cents per pound would amount to 

 $4,193.15. By the above it will be seen that the quantity of sugar 

 made in the county greatly diminished during the years from 1840 

 to 1850 ; but since that time more attention has been given to this 

 branch of industry. 



The sugar maple has not been very highly valued by the farmers 

 of the county ; for while considerable sugar is made in some por- 

 tions, in others, but little is manufactured because it is said not to 

 pay. But if every farmer was aware of the productiveness of 

 groves of this tree, more care would be manifested upon their part 

 for their preservation and culture. In some cases, maples are ex- 

 terminated from the forests for fuel and other purposes, as if they 

 were of no more importance than trees of birch or beech, and as 

 though their only value consisted in the money they would bring 

 for wood, at so much per cord. Where land is being cleared it is 

 doubtless very difficult to save any trees from destruction by fire, 

 but in lots where the growth is reserved for fuel or timber, they 

 can be saved from the woodman's axe, and the younger trees of 

 this species trimmed and allowed to grow. In some of the older 

 towns they are rarely to be found in large numbers, and in such 

 places they should be transplanted, where practicable, and their im- 

 portance and value will increase from year to year. Upon this. Dr. 

 Jackson remarks as follows : "Maple trees may also be cultivated, 

 and will become productive in twenty or thirty years ; and it would 

 certainly be one of our most beautiful pledges of regard for poster- 

 ity to plant groups of maples in- convenient situations upon our 



lands, and to line the road-sides with them. I am sure such a plan, 

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