The west shore., November 01, 1884, Page 346, Image 8

346
THE WEST SHORE.
I men liny real Iobb from lack of pickers. How far this
cnn go is a vital question, for upon the answer to this
depends the possible extent of the production of hops in
Washington Territory. They could raise hops enough
to supply the world; just how many can be picked is a
problem that will be speedily tested by the increased
acreage being planted." The present season was a severe
test of this question, owing to the prolific yield and the
damp weather, and many fears were expressed that a
large portion of the crop would not be harvested. It
appears, however, that the loss on this account was quite
inconsiderable, a few growers only having a portion of
their fields unpicked when the frost came. There were
some four hundred white pickers in addition to the
Indians, and the probabilities are that this class will
increase with the demand for thorn. At a few places,
especially in the Oregon fields, Chinamen were tried this
year, but the universal verdict is that they are not desir
able help, being slower and less thorough than the others.
This jHwsiblo scarcity of help has suggested to the minds
of many the propriety of securing an earlier variety of
hops, mich as the Humphrey, bo that picking can be
commenced alnmt two weeks swiner.
The personal experiences of a number of the most
prominent growers form the best kind of evidence of the
character of this industry, the results noted by them for
n series of years beinur miito uniform and hicrhlv satiHfne.
w - o j
tory. Our engravings of several fields, dry houses, pick
ing scenes, etc., convey a vivid impression of the appear
ance of the fields during the picking season. The pioneer
of them all is L. F. Thompson, who planted the first field
north of California. In 1805 he procured 2,500 roots
from Sacramento, at a cost of $100, and planted two
acres; and from this small beginning have Bprung the
great hop fields of Washington and Oregon. For nine
teen years these two acres have never failed to yield a
good crop, and this year the owner has reaped a harvest
of ovor 3,000 lbs. as the product from the original roots.
In 1807-8 Mr. Thompson added 10 acres, during the fol
lowing three years 20 acres, and in 1880 planted 11 acres
more. This year he harvested a crop from the 43 acres
which will average ovor 2,000 lbs. to the acre. For
nineteen years his average yield has been one ton to the
acre, aim mo average price received has been 26 cents
per lb. He crectod his first drying house in 1807 which
wan 20x75 feet, with a kiln on each end. It ,1
Btroyed by fire. He has since built five kilns, 20x20 feet
each, with a warehouse 30x70. The latter is separated
from the kilns. Mr. Thompson's hop ranch is located
wi nmuiiiT, on we norm buIo of the Puyallun RiVPr
whom )in linu nr.t.,.1 . I .1 ... . V
" "'"" residence at a cost of
li R, Z " '"T1 Rrower c,f in the valley.
1 In M, in 1 lie had 55
ZTiJ "1 LIT1 R inl t 1 now
v 7 1,1 1 W? GO iu White River
. ... y,.ragiHi about '4000 Iba to the
iiv miiiiueiiroiL Ull an
20 wilts per ib,
ten at Puyallup. These kilns will dry 12,500 lbs. of ho
in twenty-four hours.
J. P. Stewart, of Puyallup, planted one aer o
in 1871. He has now 13 acres. His exact average h
been 2,110 lbs. to the acre from the first planting to 1884
The average price sold for has been 22.4 cents. Allot
ing 10 cents for cost of raising, he has realized 12.4 cents
profit, which makes a grand total of $17,383, or $247.14
per acre. He has a kiln, 22x22, and store room 24x50.
G. A. Gardella planted his first crop eleven years ago,
He has 23 acres all told. Over 2,000 lbs. to the acre is
this year'B average. He has sold his crops at an average
of 20 cents per lb.
B. A. Young has 16 acres In hops, which he considers
will average 1,800 lbs. to the acre. He has the largest
kiln in the valley, it being 30x30. He has a warehouse,
24x36, and two stories high.
B. F. Young planted four acres in lft76, and has now
14 acres. He has two kilns, 20x20, with Btore house
24x30, and baleing room 16x30. His crops hav averaged
1,900 lbs. to the acre, and he has sold at an average price
of 22 cents.
P. D. Gilham has 12 acres. His average yield from
1877 has been 1,500 lbs. to the acre, and the average
price 20 cents per tt. His drying house is 28x90, with
kiln 28x28, with a capacity of 2,000 lbs. of dry hops for
twenty-four hours. His wareroom is 28x30 and two
stories high.
J. M. McMillan planted 20 acres in 1883, his crop for
that year being 1,600 lbs. to the acre.
Willis Boatman is an old settler of this valley, coming
here in 1854. He has 21 acres of his land planted to
hops, which will give him 2,100 lbs. to the acre. He has
for eight years crown 1.900 lbs. to the acre. He has one
of the best dry houses in the valley, with two kilns, 22x22
each, a two story store room, 26x50, and a press room
16x20.
J. F. Kincaid has 14 acres of hops, and one ton is the
estimated average yield. He has two kilns, 22xA w
18 feet between ceilings. His average price sold for the
eleven years he has been in the business has been 22
cents.
From the eneravine of J. R, Dickenson's hop house
oue will see it is among the best in the valley. TM
building is 24x96, with two kilns on either end,
each. Between these kilns is a store room, two ston
high, 24x40. The Dress room is north from the itaj
acre
. . i . .
nx-rilLM) MA linu .i
ti i - . .. - nt
uenas hve kilns on White River and
room, and is 12x40 feet The yield of hops this year
will
.i
be as high as '63,000 lbs. on thirty acres. He has rais
hops since 1873, and received an average price of 22 cea
E. C. Mead is one of the oldest growers in the
and has 15 acres." ...
S. Bonney has seven acres. His kiln 22x22, w
store room 18x24. '
G. H. Ryan has 12 acres, and his average crop M
been 1,800 lbs. to the acre since 1873. He will r"
from the twelve acres over 25,000 lbs. this year. He
four kilns, with a capacity of 30 tons in one season.
average price has been 25 cents.