The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-12
WHITE RIVER HOP GROWERS.


Meeting Held ut Kent-Tare ON Bales
and the Louise.
meeting of the hop growers of White
river valley was held at Kent, Saturday,
May 8, to discuss matters of particular in
terest just at this time. Mr.. James Hart
called the meeting to order and stated the
objects Of the gathering.
The question of the proper tare to allow
per bale was one of them. According to
the statutes the legal tare is five pounds
per bale, but buyers are in the habit of
exacting more, in many cases seven
pounds and upward. This excess was de-
clared an injustice. A difference of two
pounds when hops are worth 80 cents per
pound makes difference of 90 cents per
bale. When exacted upon every bale
grown in the state it takes at least $24, 900
per annum from the pockets of the grow
ers. This is an injustice that ought not to
be submitted to.
Again in making contracts read that all
hops shall be strictly choice the buyer
secures another advantage, for if the price
falls below that stipulated in the contract
the buyer will declare that the hops are not
up to contradictory will be too dark or
too light, dirty or anything else he chooses,
and Will force the growers down or refuse
to take the product. The thing for the
grower to do is to strike the Objectionable
words from the contract before signing it.
All contracts should read marketable
hops" and nothing more so far as quality
is concerned.
The early contracting of hops was de-
clared to be against the best interests of
the producers Ii any large amount is
thus contracted at low figure-as this
year at Is cents, as has been done in some
cases-the buyers have the power to place
sufficient hops upon the market at any
time necessary to prevent any material
advance.
These three points were discussed by
growers and resolution was passed de-
claring that no more contracts should be
signed having the Objectionable words
''strictly choice" included; also that grow
ers should insist upon a uniform tare of
not over five pounds per bale.
The meeting further discussed the ad-
visibility of the cooperative purchase of
sulphur for bleaching purposes, sacking
and other supplies for the packing season.
II was shown that in this way producers
have the power to save very large amount
Of money.
The meeting adjourned to convene again
on Saturday, May %, at Kent, for the pur-
pose of broader and more perfect organi-
cation for mutual protection and the gem
eral advancement of the interests of hon
producers. In the meantime general ef
fort will be made to interest every hon
grower IN KING county in the movement
in order to effect solid and powerful or
ganization.
Many growers report the appearance of
the hop louise upon the young vines. an
alarming fact at this early season, and one
that calls for united work upon the mart
OF growers to check their rayages of
course it is too early in the growth of the
crop to say just how imminent the danger
Is, but growers are preparing to resist the
work OF the insect enemy by means of the
best remedies known-emulsions and
spraying pumps.
The following formula is endorsed nv
Professor Lintner, state entomolopist of
New York, and other eminent authorities.
With the aid OF force pump having a nozzle
That Will throw q fine mist-like sprax on
through the yard and spray the under side 81
the leaves with a kerosene emulsion. which i.
prepared as follows, and which must 10 we'll
and thoroughly mixed, viz: Two gallon. Of
kerosene with hot solution of one nonnd "a
soap In one gallon OF water One mart az tht.
emulsion "a thick suhstance) should be- dilutad
with twenty i've parts of water