The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-10-01
NEW FIELDS FOR HOPS.
The Vines VIII Flourish in British CO.
Iurnhia Valleys.
Vancouver Sews-Adyertiser.

lumhia Valleys.
Vancouver Sews-Adyertiser.
We Yesterday gave some interesting de-
tails respecting the large profits made by
the hop-growers Of Washington territory.
One grower IN the uyallup valley, who has
kept an accurate account cf the proceeds on
his hopyard for seventeen years, states
that the average yield for that period has
been eo6c pounds the acre. During that
period the averaes price has been 20 cents
per pound or saoo an acre. and, after de
Quoting all expenseS of cultivation and
picking, the net profit has been about
$50 an acre. 1t is not surprising
that the land planted TO hops
has a valuation OF 500 per acre, or that
those holding il are 80 disinclined 10 part
with their property that it is difficult to
give an accurate statement Of what is the
actual market price of the land. Another
person who has cultivated the hop plant
for twenty-five consecutive years says that
the vines show no sign of failure 10 pro-
duce as large a crop now as they did in the
first season of bearing. The objection
which is often taken TO crops of certain
characters that. though profitable in them
selves. they are so exhausting TO the soil
that after few years the crop must be
changed or the ground given n rest, does
not therefore apply to crop OF hops.
The cultivation of the hop plant has
attained to large proportions in certain
parts of Washington territory. and ap-
pears likely to become of even more inn
portance to the landowners of that terri
tory in the future. The quality of the hops
raised is so superior TO those raised in
many other parts of the world which,
until few years ago. furnished the chief
supply. that the prices they can be sold
for in London are sufficient to cover all
the expenses of transportation for so
great distance and leave the growers
good margin of profit. Indeed, hops and
fruit appear TO bc two CT the most inn
portant crops for the people OF the Pacific
coast, as they can both be raised here in
great abundance and of excellent quality,
while the market value is sufficient TO
enable the growers to pay for the trans
porta:ion of them across the continent
and still be able to compete with Eastern
producers, a thing impossible with most
descriptions of cereals.
We think the owners OF land in British
Columbia, suitable for the cultivation OF
hops, should emulate the example of their
Southern neighbors. There is no question
that there are large tracts in this province
well adopted for this purpose. The hop
g-ows luxuriantly in wild state and viii
undoubtedly yield excellent results to those
who will devote their attention to its cult
va,ion. The growers in Washington ter
ritory have shipped their hops
over the Canadian Pacific railroad
to England, so that growers
here are advantageously placed as
regards transportation facilities in compar-
ison with their neighbors across the
boundary. Labor is as abundant here as
il is in Washington territory. Indeed, the
largest number of the hop-pickers there are
Indians from British Columbia, who an
nualiy go down for that purpose, after
the salmon canning season Is over. II
some of the spectators who hold large
tracts of land at high prices would offer it
at reasonable figures TO persons who would
make hop-gardens. they would find their
lands adjacent would appreciate in value
as soon rs one season had passed. and the
possible profits of the industry were real
ICED.