CONCENTRATION IN HOP GROWING. 245 



the cost of production, which is usually below what 

 they would otherwise have to pay. 



The ranch at Horstville is the basis for their ex- 

 tensive operations. The entire 700 acres devoted 

 thereon to hops are set in the improved wire trellis on 

 2O-foot poles that are set two feet in the ground, thus 

 leaving the horizontal trellis wires 18 feet overhead, 

 from which two strings run down to each hill. A yard 

 is devoted to experimental purposes, where the dif- 

 ferent varieties from all parts of the world are tested 

 and seedlings are originated, some of which bid fair to 

 combine all the qualities most desired. The illustra- 

 tions in connection with this chapter show a number oi 

 varieties most popular with brewers that are grown on 

 a large scale on this ranch. 



One remarkable feature about this establishment at 

 Horstville is that lice and mold have never been known 

 since hop culture was inaugurated there, forty years 

 ago, and this fact, combined with a soil and climate 

 peculiarly adapted to hop culture, makes this locality 

 one of the. most certain and most prolific sections foi 

 hops in the world. The ranch is on the banks of the 

 Bear river, and in a dry season the river can be used 

 for irrigating, thus making the crop certain regardless 

 of rain. In the year 1898, when California suffered 

 from such a drouth as had never been known, this hop 

 ranch produced the same quality and quantity per acre 

 as usual. 



By thus concentrating, under one management, 

 many plantations, the entire culture, harvest, curing 

 and sale of the crop is in the hands of experts. Noth- 

 ing is left to guesswork; slipshod methods are not 

 tolerated. Every detail is conducted on businesslike 

 and scientific principles and receives the benefit of the 

 wide experience acquired by the owners of this ranch, 

 not only in growing hops, but in disposing of them. 



The latest improvement devised by Horst Brothers 



