The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-18
Hop Crop In white River valley.

kLAuGHTER, Sept l7.--There seems to be con-
siderable misunderstanding in the minds of
many writer's, II the reports in the public press
are correct, as 70 the condition and quantity of
hops raised through this above named district,
including also the Green river and OsceoIa dis
tricts- see reports print on,inualIy about
the good prospects and large yield for this sea-
son, and as one in the midst of the district and
so situated that can form some fair opinion on
tae subject, would says:
The season OF 1891 has been well adapted for
the growth OF large crop and large crop has
been grown. About July, when the hops were
forming. almost every yard throughout the en-
tire district was attacked by the hop louise. the
effect OF the same has been Injurious, but not in
ali places 70 the same extent. / have not seen
one yard that has not been infested to some ex-
tent The result has been that some yards have
been totally ruined and not picked at all. l
don't believe there is a yard in the district
where all the poles have been picked, and on the
average about one-thrd OF the hops have been
LETT unpicked. Many yards have not picked
more than half the yield, aud these not all
choice, but have been dried and kept separate
During the picking season, and whilst all
growers were doing their utmost to harvest the
crop, 1t commenced To rain on the 10th aud con-
tinued to the 10th, with the result that the hops
then unpieked were SO badly damaged that
picking ceased; and, as careful observer and
from Information constantly gathered from the
growers. most of whom / am well acquainted
with, feel satisfied that the yield will not cx-
coed two-thirds that of last year, or much more
than one-half full crop, which will be about
$1,000 bales for this state. Puyallup and
Sumner, In Pierce county, are not in any better
condition either for quality or quantity, and If
any districts have preference think they will
be Green river, Osceola and Enumclaw, all in
King county
Many farmers for the first time have tried
been unsuccessful, although in CAGES where ii
was systematically and continuously gone on
with IL has been practically success.
Why certain growers and buyers (combined)
should write articles to thu press setting forth
the great yield il more than we eau understand,
except some other Cuisines" object il in view
But Notwithstanding these assertions, the grow
do not believe it and smile at such SIM
plicity.
There has been picked and baled generally
fair sample OF hops, because nothing but the
best has been picked and baled aud put up, with
the view to honestly comply with contracts
made. But from the appearances Of the sam
pling being done, having in view the present
prices, 1t seems as though hops grown on earth
this year cannot be "ckoice," although las. year
anything Ike baled this year would have
been accepted. 1t is the price that settles the
Quality--aud that only.
Such reports as / have seen are an injury to
the state. Other growers in other states are this
day under the impression that We have a large
crop. That makes them uneasy as to the prices
They sell at low values, and then our growers
are compelled to accept that price, less cents
for freight, or keep them, and the result is that
little money is in circulation, aud this means
little money To our general stores and mer-
chants. Ny object in writing is simply TO state
plain facts ana To spread abroad the actual con-
diti0n of our crop and yield
have been in communication all summer
with growers in many places ia the states, and
the same system of "i0Oling' is going on there
10 their Jury and outs. JAMES HARrJ p