• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.87 no.3
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• pp.391-403
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• 1998

The study was carried out to devise a proper measure to increase the income of mountain villagers by producing sap water of Acer mono, and to make the most of sap water as local specialty to contribute to the local economy of mountain villages. All the processes from collecting to marketing of sap water of Acer mono was investigated. The survey was done from mid-January to mid-February in the 3 major sap water collecting regions, Toji-myon Kurey-gun(Piagol area of Mt. Chiri), Okryong-myon Kwangyang city(Mt. Baekun), and Jookhack-ri Sunchon(Mt. Chokey). A total of 90 householders who collect sap water, to say again, 30 householders in each region, were interviewed personally to make up questionnaires. The habitual or general practices about collecting sap water, the selling price, the sales process, labor power to collect and carry down, carrying distance and facilities, sales income and side income, and family income were investigated and examined. Spots of collecting sap water were not concentrated but scattered all over the collecting area. Collecting method, collecting amount, sales process, and selling price varied with the village and region. Sap water was collected by tapping or boring method, the latter of which was widely used in lots of regions except in Sunchon. Although the amount of sap production per family varied with region, the average amount was about 1,350 liters. Of all the sap water collected, 44% was consumed by drinking of on-the-spot visitors and 36% was sold by order, etc. Sap water was sold at the price varying from 10,000 won to 60,000 won per 18 liters. The average selling price was 41,000 won, but selling prices of 43,000 won and 45,000 wan amounted to 38% and 25%, respectively.