. The story of Cooperstown . y of Cooperstown,which was at one time the centre of the most im-portant hop-growing industry in America. Hopculture was introduced into Otsego county aboutthe year 1830. In 1845 only 168,605 pounds,were produced. In 1885, within a radial distanceof forty miles from Cooperstown was includedmore than half of the hop-producing region ofthe United States. The hop-picking season, during the latter partof August, has given a picturesque character ofits own to the life of the village and environs. In 378 THE STORY OF COOPERSTOWN the primitive days of the industry, when t
. The story of Cooperstown . y of Cooperstown,which was at one time the centre of the most im-portant hop-growing industry in America. Hopculture was introduced into Otsego county aboutthe year 1830. In 1845 only 168,605 pounds,were produced. In 1885, within a radial distanceof forty miles from Cooperstown was includedmore than half of the hop-producing region ofthe United States. The hop-picking season, during the latter partof August, has given a picturesque character ofits own to the life of the village and environs. In 378 THE STORY OF COOPERSTOWN the primitive days of the industry, when the har-vesting of the crop did not require any additionalhelp from outside of the immediate region, thetask of hop-picking was lightened by the enjoy-ment of social pleasures and romantic excitementsthat came to be associated with it by the youngpeople of Otsego. At the beginning of the pick-ing season, in those days, anyone passing throughthe country would meet wagon after wagon, ofthe style known as a democrat, loaded down. Elizabeth Hudson Hop Picking with gay and lively maidens, with one or twoyoung men to each load. On reaching the hop-yard to which they were assigned, these frolic-some parties exchanged their holiday attire for THE LAKE OF ROMANCE AND FISHERMEN 379 broad-rimmed hats and working dresses. Boxeswere placed about the hop-yard, four pickers toeach, the boxes being divided into four sectionsholding ten bushels apiece, and into these weredropped the clusters picked frOm the vines bynimble fingers. Experienced hands can fill twoor more boxes in a day, for which as much asfifty cents a box used to be paid. The midday lunch was taken beneath the shadeof the nearest tree, or, in case the pickers wereboarded by the grower, all adjourned to the larg-est room in an out-building, where a rural feastwas spread with no niggard hand. Hop-pickersexpect to live on the fat of the farmers land, andas a rule they are not disappointed. Whole sheepand beeves vanish like manna bef
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