Can you imagine lugging around bottles of maple syrup instead of your credit card when you went to get groceries? Trade was a popular way for people to get what they needed in the 1800s. Maple sugar was an important part of northern Michigan's trade economy, as well as a staple for personal use. Some folks have estimated that more than 300,000 pounds were shipped in one year from St. Helena and Mackinac Islands! All of the syrup to make maple sugar came from trees, through spouts such as this one. Just imagine how long it would take to get one pound, much less 300,000!