The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-06
PUYALLUp. Sent. 4. 1902

PUYALLUP. Sept 8, 1892
Henry Bucey-Dedr SIR: The within contents
have been carefully read. and in answer would
state that positively refuse to comply with the
demands OF your honorable board for various
act of leaving the vines where they are badly in
tested with vermin. In the second place my
yard Is almost absolutely free OF vermin; third,
1t means the determination OF the hop industry
II 1t is followed for q few years, as by the cut
ting of the vines which would be necessary it
would deprive the root of the sap, which does
leaving them in . weak condition for next years
crop Gentlemen, there are a number of us who
have done the same thing last year aud are now
losing neavliy by 1t Yours very respectfully,
JOE N. FERNANDEZ.
1t would appear that the state board is send
ing these circulars to all hop growers. who can
not after the past experience comply with 1t,
not being able to see the wisdom of such move
ment Some OF the heaviest growers say they
Will tight such q movement to the highest
courts, as many hop growers from experience
and close examination believe the close cut
ting and pruning OF the hop SO early is very in-
furious. This is the unanimous decision, with
but one exception, and that was man who has
not taken the best Of care of the hops under his
charge here. Mr.. Fernandez invites any and all
growers to his yard for a practical illustration
OF she success of spraying, and especially with
the roller sprayer, AZ his hops are as bright and
nne az ne ever raised, though they will not be
quite as heavy a. in more favorable years. His
verdict Is the same Ezra Meeker's as to the in
jury done to the vine by spraying, which is,
"None, providing the emulsion is properly made
and applied" Only four pounds of soap was
used to 100 gallons of water at the very last
Next year Mr.. Fernandez will begin spraying an
soon as the fly makes its appearance, with
perhaps only one pound of soap to 100 gal
Ions OF water, or just enough to make
glue to stick the wings of the flies to their sides
ana thus smother them. Mr.. Fernandez will
not begin picking before next Thursday, and
perhaps not until tho Monday following He
saw fly about August 20 in his yard, but he
has seen none OF the flies which 60 to the plum
tree in his yard.
1t would seem that If the members of the
board of state horticulture had kept themselves
posted on this question by reading the Posr-IN.
TELLIGENcER they would have known that 1t
would be very difficult to enforce such a law
As they say, the plum tree is the place to begin,
and they also urge the spraying Of the hops In
the springtime. Now the growers say they
might just as well plow up their fields at once
as to linger along several years and kill them by
robbing them of their sap.
James F. Sharkey, of White river who was in
the city yesterday. gives a discouraging report
OF the hop crop. On seven acres he raised eight
tons last year: this year he will pick two tons
X. OConnell on seven acres last year raised
eight TOMS but this year he will have only one
ton and quarter. George Ouett's ten acres
which last year produced twelve tons, will
yield only four.