Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-08-30
For the Standard.
TO THE HOP GROWERS OF VERMONT.

hops have not sold as readily, or COM
manded so high a price as has the growth
Of tie States of New York, New llamp.
shire, Maine, Massachusetts, or Connec-
ticut. To-day, dealer in hops can go
into market and contract 1000 bales OF
hops grown and subject to inspection in
any Of the above named States while the
hops are yet on the poles; but offer a
Vermont article, the quality to be deter
mined by Vermont inspection, and you
will be told, ave will buy them, but we
must first see the hops. As natural
consequence, we are passed by until the
demand compels dealers to take ours, and
then the dealer, in self defense, is obliged
to buy ours at price at least two cents
lower than is paid in the above named
States. Is this because we do not grow
so good and healthy plants, or is it be-
cause we do not pick, dry, and prepare
the crop for market in a proper man
ner, and, as a natural consequence, there
by sinking the standard of inspection
lower and lower, until it has become to
be considered of no consequence at all ?
The latter, without doubt, is the true rea-
son. The fact is that few hops are sent
from Vermont that will "inspect" "irst
sort in any other State. 1t is often al
legged that our hops do not get fair in
spection outside Of Vermont, but let any
man 60 into market and examine the
hops, and the brand on the same from
any State other than Vermont, and he
will be satisfied that the allegation is not
founded in truth.
The statute defining what inspection
shall be is explicit and plain, and is, be-
lieve, precisely like that OF at least two
other States, Sections nine, ten, and
eleven read as follows -
g. First sort hops shall consist of
healthy, mature growth, clean picked,
well and sufficiently dried, and free from
scorch or over heat in curing.
10. Second sort hops shall consist of
hops of a slightly inferior grade, which
may consist in the growing, picking, or
curing, or all, and to approximate to the
first sort of hops.
Il. Refuse hops shall consist of the
lowest grade, which may be grown, or
may be injured by harvesting, or in
curing, and of the poorest quality.
And it furthermore provides that no
hops shall be put into bales until they
have been dried at least ten days. Now
is it not for your interest to prepare the
crop for market in a better manner, and
then raise the standard Of inspection to
level with that of contiguous States I?
To 10 that, hops must be picked clean
from leaves and stems. Bad picking is
what the consumer most fears in Yer
mont hops. From some localities, hops
have been sent to market most scandal
ously foul from year to year, so that
the name Of the locality has become a
by word in market. How much do we
gain by adding ten pounds Of rubbish to
bale OF hops, thereby losing from Two to
four cents per pound in the price for the
samc2
Better care must also be taken in dry
ing. Hops are injured in color and odor
BY drying too fast, by drying too many at
time, by turning them too soon, and by
not drying them sufficiently to keep after
they are put in bales. 1t is said that not
one half of the hops from Vermont will
keep one year in good color from this
cause alone. 1t is necessary that the
grower should thoroughly understand his
business, and that he should conduct it,
from beginning to end, with the same
care and the same regard to neatness and
cleanliness that is requisite in the man
ufacture of butter or sugar, or in the har-
vesting Ct a crop of corn or wheat.
But space will not permit me to en-
large on facts, or argue the points that
may be controverted. 1t seems plain
that the way our hops have been picked
and prepared for market has been detri-
mental to our interest, more especially
when hops do not command high price.
How many years out of the last six have
you been compelled to take the last end
of the market, while the crop Of other
States was sold on the poles and drank
up in beer? In view of the above facts,
it would seem to be for your interest to
prepare your hops for market in the best
possible manner, instead o.. raising a
clamor against the inspector as being too
rigid in his requirements and then, in
justice to yourselves, that you should re-
quire him to put such brands upon them
as shall compare with the inspection of
the other States. While acting in the
capacity Of inspector, I am gratifed to
see that while | conduct the business of
my office in a manner that shall be con.
ducive to your interest, l am acting in