The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1899-09-14
THE STATE HOP INSPECTOR
Gives Additional Valuable Information TO
Yakima Hop Growers.
PuYALLUP, Wash, Sept. 8, 1899.

PuYALLUP, Wash, Sept. q, 1899.
EDITOR YAKIMA HERALD: The most
critical time in the hop industry is now
approaching-th picking, curing and
balug. The hops must be picked clean,
free from mould, large leaves and stems.
Do not lay your floors too heavy in the
beginning; warm the kiln up for eight
or ten hours previous to laying the fret
4 ,or; instruct your tiremen thoroughly
IN their duties and what you expect OF
them, and see that they do it; drop in on
them al all hours, take "A look at the
thermometers Yourself. | always use
green wood, as there is much less danger
OF sCorching flooring; il they can't hold
the heat up and the floor says, can
remedy that; but dry wood, flash fire,
and your hops are cooked-that is past
remedy Don't get the idea that you can
make good hop out OF bad one 10y
using lots of sulphur, or a yellow hop
out of green one. Too much sulphur
is bad, as it gives the sample lead color
and looks dirty. One and one-iourth
pounds to the box in extreme cases is
plenty three.fourths of "a pound is bet
ter. If possible, allow the dried hops to
lay on the kiln floor for three or four
hours after shutting down the heat, as it
tends to tougher them and they will bale
whole. throw water on the hot pipes,
causing a cloud of steam to strike them,
and they are ready to come off i'll three
hours. Broken hops are very detri-
mental to the grade. If possible, dry
with l40 degrees-you will make money
by it.
In baling, handle your dry hops very
carefully; do not tamp them in the press
like you would fence post; use your
tamping stick more as Il presser, and
only at the ends and corners. Try run
ming down the follower OF your press
twice; use it as packer, and when the
buyer is taking his sample you will hear
him say, "These cut mighty nice" Do
not let your hops lie in the warehouse
too long, rs it is a mistaken idea that
they 90 through a sweat, for such is not
the case; they draw moisture and become
tough and boardy. and lose that nice
silky feel and springy touch when pressed
between the hands. Use 24-oz cloth,
full width, put in double heads; sew
with double thread, four-ply linen, the
double lock stitch and twenty-five
stitches to each side. Put your bales up
neatly if buyer sees sloppy looking
lot of bales he is dubious of the grower !;
put your goods in neat packages and
they will sell themselves. Don't be
stingy about giving samples; get them
on tie market and as many as you can,
and you will get good returns.
Picking has commenced in Oregon,
where mould is showing you know
what that means. either green hop or
mouldv one. IN two weeks time the
story will come; it is race between the
pckers and the lice, and if any of you
have ever been in such predlcament
you know who whist 10 not the picker
Washington has chance this year to
gain that gilt edged reputation she used
to have as a hop growing state it is now
up to you, Mr.. Hop-grower, whether we
have trashy stuff or crackerjack samples.
Picking will commence about the 10th
of September in some yards, and by the
18th or Goth everything will be in full
blast. You can then hear the laughing
and singing of the pickers and crying of
babies, and once in while mix up in
the hop yards. At night the Indians
will gamble with the bone game, have
their 'cultus potlach and mamok toma-
mus" and a "hiyas kloshe me, me copa
hop time" Jos n. FERNANDEZ.