Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-09-22
ON A HOP RANCH.
Row Chinese Compete with Indian Pickers
In Observation-Disclosures Scenes
fSnecial Cotrcenoudqnco1


Especial Correspondence
TACOMA, Wash, Sept. 27.-Hop cul-
ture is a large and important industry
in this state, hops being the most valu-
able agricultural crop of western Wash
ington. The Snoqualmie hop ranch con-
sists of 800 acres, 300 being in hops.
The production of this farm is from
1900 to 1000 pounds per acre. 1t is
said that the clear profit to the state this
year was over 81 100000
The first hops raised here were planted
in 1866 near the present city of Puyal-
lup. A peck of hops were planted by
Jacob r. Meeker From these he har-
vested bale Of hops, receiving eight
cents per pound for them. This at
tracted attention to the industry and re-
suited in further planting along the
river and in the valleys. From this
small beginning sprang an industry that
has brought into the state more than
500 100000 and given employment to
fully 5000 people annually.
quote from an article written by Mr..
Ezra Meeker for the state board Of trade,
so that facts and figures are authentic.
Hop picking is one of tho picturesque
scenes Of Washington. The work Of
harvesting is done largely by Indians.
though other nationalities are well rep
resented, who come from all parts Of the
state, from British Columbia and even
from Alaska. 1t is the time Of year
when the Indian is sure of sufficient
work to enable him to buy his winter
e II. ln
yards in their canoes, which, hewn from
single logs, seem clumsy and unsafe to
the white man, but in which the Indians
brave even the tempests Of the ocean
The high prows are gayly painted and
usually decorated with a rude figure cut
out of wood. Hundreds and even thou
sands of these canoes in the early au-
tumn are to be seen on the waters Of
Puget sound, and the beaches are Gov
cred with temporary camps.
From the shores of the Pacific, of
British Columbia and beyond, whole
tribes embark, pass through the Gulf of
Georgia and across the Straits of Fuca
and paddle up the sound for the sole
purpose Of being present at the hop
picking and spending the money earned
in blankets, gaudy calico and other
stores, TO last until the next season of
plenty.
Men, women and children just able to
walk engage in the work, and are all
industrious as long as the season lasts.
Their painted faces and bright raiment,
in contrast among the dark foliage Of
the hop vines, form a picture that is
ever new. And when the harvest is
over they return to their homes by easy
stages, taking care that much of the
bright silver is we'll expended or gam
bled away before civilization is left
behind.
The question of questions with hop
growers is, Will pickers enough come?
If so, viii they arrive in time? The In
dams are quick to perceive the situation
and ready to profit by the anxiety of the
growers, and to drive the best bargain
possible. AS the acreage has increased,
however, the supply of labor has thus
far been ample, so that there never has
been any real loss from lack Of pickers.
For five years, from 1856 to 1880 inclu-
sive, Mr.. Meeker has kept accurate ac-
count of the production of one farm
of sixty-one acres which he has in hops.
During that time there were grown and
marketed 574, 500 pounds of hops, which
sold at an average of II 3-5 cents per
pound, aggregating S1Ol, 1895. The
cost Of production was cents per
pound. The net profit, therefore, from
sixty. one acres for five years was 49,
415.77, an annual average of $9,ssS. II
and a yearly average net profit per acre
of $1,000. These figures will show a
much greater profit than from hops
raised in New York or New England
In central New York the cost of pro.
ducing a crop is not less than 10 cents
per pound, while in New England an
average Of at least 1S cents is reached. A..
A new element has entered into hoI
picking-viz., the Chinese. Last autumn
when the fleets of canoes came from
Alaska and British Columbia came down
the sound to the hopranches, the Indian.
found their places taken by the yellow
bias eyed Celestials, who had come il
and possessed the land. The cursine
was deep maybe, at least it was silent
and the high prows were turned home
ward again. They camped all along the
coast and reached their homes by slow
stages. They usually carry a small ten
J in which to sleep, but all their occupa
tons and recreations are carried on il
the broad sunlight, with only the blu
sky for canopy. Their household
, utensils consist of a camp kettle ant
several large spoons. Fish, vegetables
, everything they eat, cooked in the on
| kettle, and the various members of tn
! family sit about and dip in their spoon
whenever they feel the pangs of hunger
They are filthy beyond description, ant
as for good looks, have yet to see on
! that ever approximated toward tina
point. The beautiful Indian maiden
? strong, 1.-THE and symmetrical-has BEEF
lost, if she ever existed among thes
n tribes, through the degenerating inhu
h rnce of civilization.
b When the Hydah and Fort Simpson
e Indians had returned last fall so far a
Q Victoria, b. c., they stayed there 70
J. feveral weeks, during which time the
: gave three entertainments, consisting o
-,,,.-- ,,,I I,,ooo u,tob &, e .r-n,.n l., r-oor,r