The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-07-20

figure. Now If we only pick three bales
of the hops where we grow four, we
would naturally pick the best and the
effect of leaving twenty-five per cent OF
the poorest unpicked would be very
materially 10 improve the quality OF
those picked 80 that the grower would
stand 10 gain in quality TO the value OF
the reduction in acreage. This three.
fourths, amounting TO six hundred
pounds, even il we did not receive more
than fifteen cents per pound would
amount to ninety dollars. The cost OF
picking three bales is thirty dollars.
leaving the grower sixty dollars for three
bales as against thirty-two dollars for
four bales-nearly double.
The gain per acre to the grower for
hops yielding one thousand pounds per
acre would be thirty-hye dollars. For
hops yielding fifteen hundred pounds
per acre, the grower getting fifteen cents
for three.fourths OF them shows gain
of over fifty dollars per acre above the
probable price of nine cents per pound,
ior the entire growth. To the growers
OF the state this would mean more than
half a million dollars to the advantage
Of the hop farmers.
ers Of many years experience, after care.
fully considering the proposed reduction
Of acreage, conclude that there is a
much greater probability Of getting
fifteen cents per pound, or more, by re-
ducing the output and accepting the
offer OF harvesting expenses that the
proposal guarantees than there would be
Of getting the contract price, provided
all the hops we're contracted at this time
at nine or ten cents per pound on usual
terms Of hop contracts.
We think farther that the proposition
amountsto demonstration OF the efficacy
OF organization and CO. ope ration on the
part OF the growers. The time for the
acceptance Of this proposition is limited
10 August 10, 1900. We commend IL 10
your careful consideration. believing
that you will wisely conclude IL IL TO
your interest and that Of your neighbor
hop growers to accept its terms.
The individual grower would have the
support Of his organization and the en-.
tire strength of theOregon Hop Growers
Association would beayailableto 10 protect
the interests Of the growers and enforce
the terms stipulated in the contract. III
growers representing seventy.fve per
cent OF the rcreage accept this offer there
would be no doubt OF the faithful per.
iormance OF the contract on the part OF
the firm making the proposition. The
hve cents advance and the bond are
ample security TO the grower.
We would also be relieved from the
necessity OF making dealers picking cou.
tracts which always demanda large bon.
us and compel cary sales whatever may
be the condition OF the market OF the in.
divldual loss 10 the grower. We are in
formed and believe IL TO be true, that the
growers are willing 10 pay prices for
hops that will give growers reasonable
profits, yet our methods have been such
as 10 force our products on the market at
less than cost.
II is conceded by all that the proposed
reduction would have the desired effect
OF increasing the price. But il Is object.
ed that the farmers will not and can not
organize 10 protect their interests and
make their business profitable, and fur.
ther that it is simply a question of "tbe
survival OF the tittest The statement
is also made that the more hops are raised
the more difficult il is 10 effect sales and
larger commissions can be collected by
''N 'Ni S'N'hS AoP blohSI which Ollen
amounts TO more than TWENTY-FIVE per
cent OF the growers receipts. With such
a policy the dealer can survive and the
hnal result would be 30 drive the great
majority OF growers out Of the business
leaving the hop industry entirely in the
hands OF the syndicate growers and
syndicate dealers.
We have the opportunity of protect
ing the industry on this coast from such
a disaster. We are offered the powerful
assistance Of ample funds and great ex.
perience. Will we accept? Until ac.
cepted by the growers the Association
will be at liberty 10 consider any better
offer that may be made by any other
firm or pool Of hop dealers.
Yours truly,
NJ. l.. JONES.