The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1895-06-27
A LARGE HOP YARD.

Friday GAZETTE representative received
an invita- ton from W. A. Wells to drive out
into the country couple of miles and look
over the hop fields of which Mr.. Wells and
Mr.. Mackay are the owners. The invitation
was accepted, and, behind Mr.. Wells Alta
go flly, we soon reached our destination.
The fields comprise fifty acres, and are loca-
ted short distance southeast of the Prier
Scott farm. The hop roots were planted
something over year ago. They are now
in excellent condition and prospects are
most favorable for yield of 800 pounds per
acre, which is considered above the average
for the second season. The land whereon
the hops are growing is rich sandy loan.
located along the bottoms adjoining Mary IS
river and is subject to overflow. There are
no bad effects attributable to these freshets,
however, but on the contrary prove extreme
ly beneficial to the land. The overflow is
merely a backwater and leaves upon the
land thick deposit or sediment which is
said to possess fertilizing qualities which are
said to be unsurpassed.
Cinnamon are engaged in cultivating the
hops. In fact they are for the present the
real proprietors, having ten-year lease on
the land. By the terms of this lease the
Cinnamon are required to plant the hops
and care for them until the expiration of the
ten years. In addition they are to complete
the clearing and grabbing of considerable
land which is also to be planted with hops
as rapidly as possible. For their pay the
Cinnamon receive during the life of the
lease three-fourths of the crop. Or in other
words, they are to deliver one fourth of the
crop, baled, in Corvallis each year free of
expense to the lessees. However, Messrs.
Wells and Mackay furnish the hop roots,
poles and driers.
Work on the new drier is now nearing
completion. 1t will have ten furnaces, and
is what is known as double drier. The
main building is 26x52 feet with 24-foot
posts. The baling room adjoining is 20x52
feet, with store room the same size on the
second floor. The furnace rooms are to be
hard finished, and the building throughout
will be model one. The estimated COM
bined capacity of the ten driers is from $50
to 400 boxes every "a hours. That splendid
JuNS hASh0 was uisPidyCo III Vic sOlOSIiOA VA d
site for the drier is at once noticeable. It is
built against steep hillside and SO arranged
that when the hops are hauled in from the
fields for drying they are conveyed on level
to the drying room, thus avoiding the
trouble and expense of an elevator. When
dried the hops are easily dumped into the
store room ten or twelve feet below Here,
again, they are easily handled into the baler,
located on the floor below, from where the
bales are loaded onto wagons on a plane
with the main floor. Thus tn work is facil
itated and no lifting is required during the
entire process Of drying, baling, and loading
for market. It is without doubt the best
built and most conveniently arranged drier
in the county if not in the entire valley. It
is expected that in order to care for the crop
another season it will be necessary to con-
struct ten additional driers.
In the arrangement of things nothing has
been forgotten-even to a spacious cellar
wherein will be kept all kinds Of liq uid
refreshments for visitors, and which will be
doled out in liberal quantities by Sir William
to his many friends. Fortunately for Bill,
but I'm fortunately for the GAZETTE man, the
cellar had not at the time of our visit been
stocked with drinkables. A promise was
exacted, however, that no such condition
will exist on any future visit.