The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-05-18
HOPOROWERS.
Propose to Hold a Mass Meeting at
Salem May zSth.

FiVPOsS 70 ftolu Mabb neeunk ~
Salem May asth.
From the Portland Telegram.
Over 10000 bales Of 1900 hops have
been tiled up" or contracted for by
dealers. The prices range from cents
upwards. Several recent contracts for
extra choice hops have been made for 10
cents a pound
Conservative estimates place the num-
Der Of bales from last years crop remain.
ing in the state at 1900. OF that
number 800 bales are considered choice,
About II 900 bales are controlled by the
Hopgrowers' Association. Sales were
made by the Association last week at
tl.5O bale, or less than a cent a pound.
The association is not doing anything
toward pooling the 1900 crop. 1t has
switched off onto what the dealers call
"its latest hobby" by concentrating its
energies upon plans for limiting the sup
ply For that purpose a mass meeting is
TO be held in Salem May 25th. circu-
lar letter outlining the project has been
cent TO prominent hopgrowers Of the
state. According to outside hopdealers
and growers this is the most unwise
move yet made by the association.
"The only way 10 raise prices" said
one interested man, who is considered a
reliable authority on hop matters, 'is
for the growers TO raise choice hops.
Never yet have growers failed TO get
good prices for choice hops. And they
never will. BY raising choice hops
Pacific Coast dealers will drive the New
York dealers out Of business. That will
limit the supply to 900 bales annually.
The reason for this is that hops can be
raised by Coast dealers for half the
money IL costs 10 raise them in the East.
"Now again-last year the United
States exported $4,000 bales Of choice
hops TO England, in spite Of the fact
that England's crop more than supplied
the local demand. We could have
shipped 5000 bales IL the grade had
been better. What does this teach us2
That there is no limit 10 the demand for
choice hops; that the foreign market
will always absorb the surplus no mat
ter how great our supply.
Therefore, the only true method Of
limiting the supply is by the careful
cultivation Of hops. Our farmers as
rule do not pay enough attention to
spraying, the Dourithment Of the ground
and proper harvesting. Let them at.
tend TO these matters properly and there
will be no need Of limiting the supply
by cutting down the acreage as pro-
posed by the association. In one years
time hops will more than pay the extra
care given them.
do you suppose that Yakima grow.
ers will consent 10 cutting down their
acreage2 Not by good deal They
take care Of their hops, they always
have choice hops and get good prices
anu are satisfied with themselves and
everybody else. A few careless growers
do more 20 ruin the reputation OF the
hop belt than any other thing. Oregon
has been given black eve in this 70.
spcct, although here may be- found the
finest conditions in the world for rails.
ing choice hops.
"Ii the association desires TO do real
missionary work and accomplish practi-
cal results, let IL get in aud encourage |
proper cultivation. That is the only |
salvation Of the growers. Once they
establish for themselves a reputation OF
raising choice hops, there will be no
trouble about market or prices, The
buyers will compete with each other for
the hops, and he only too glad TO pay
good prices -