PAST AND PRESENT OUTPUT OF SUGAR AND SIRUP. 



The history of the maple-sugar industry of the country may be read 

 in the census figures. In the census of 1860 the total production of 

 maple sugar and sirup reached its height. It fell heavily in 1870, rose 

 again to large proportions in 1880, remained stationary in 1890, and 

 then suddenly fell almost 50 per cent in 1900, when the total amount 

 produced was nearly a third less than in 1850. 



Apart from the actual decrease in product, there has been a great 

 reduction in the area over which the maple is tapped. This decrease 

 was 34 per cent between 1880 and 1890. The decided falling off in the 

 distribution of the industry has taken place to a much greater extent 

 in the area of occasional production than in that part of the country 

 where maple-sugar making has commercial features. The tendency 

 for sugar production to concentrate in the region of best climatic and 

 soil condition indicates that sugar making for home use is giving way 

 to a market production. 



In Vermont the production in 1899 was especially small, not only 

 because of the poor season, but on account of a serious attack on the 

 groves by the "maple worm." (See p. 12.) Since that time the 

 groves have recuperated, and Vermont is in a position to turn out as 

 large a crop as at any time in her history. 



In the Southern Appalachians and Kentucky the decrease seems 

 permanent, and undoubtedly comes from the cheapening of cane 

 sugar in the mountain districts. Maple sugar and sirup in those 

 regions never had more than a local sale, and were merely used as sub- 

 stitutes for the cane product. But in western Maryland and the adja- 

 cent part of West Virginia the production has decidedly increased, 

 showing that sugar and sirup are there being produced for the market, 

 and that the southern mountains possess latent possibilities for the 

 development of the maple-sugar industry. 



In Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois the decrease undoubtedly comes 

 from the cutting of the maples, which have been heavily lumbered in 

 the last ten years. This is particularly true in Michigan and Indiana, 

 both of which would otherwise be producing large quantities of maple 

 sugar and sirup. Another cause of the decrease is the competition of 

 adulterated products from the large towns of this section. 



The table on page 6 gives the 1900 census figures of maple sugar 

 and sirup production. The decrease for the year, both in quantity 

 of sugar and in sugar-producing area, comes from a number of 

 causes, some of which are permanent, but some only temporary. In 

 the New England States, Xew York, and to a less extent in Ohio, 

 the sugar season of 1899 (that reported in the census of 1900) was 



