The Puyallup Valley's Hop Boom
Pioneer farmers in the Puyallup Valley expect a massive harvest as hop cultivation surges.
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A correspondent reports that the hop crop in the Puyallup Valley is unusually fine. The yield will average 2,000 to 2,500 pounds per acre. About 1,000 acres are under cultivation, most of which are ready for picking, though the labor supply is scarce at present. Diphtheria is currently prevalent in some areas, causing concern for the health of the laborers.
“The yield will average 2,000 to 2,500 pounds per acre.”
The Puyallup Valley became a world-renowned hop-growing powerhouse in the late 19th century, eventually suffering a major collapse due to the hop aphid. This report captures the industry at its peak of excitement, just before it transformed the regional landscape and labor market forever.
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