File:Hop picking, ca 1895 (MOHAI 7016).jpg

In western Washington, hop vines were grown on tall poles. At harvest time, workers lowered the vines and picked the hops into wooden boxes. The boxes were a standard size and had handles so that two people could carry them. Pickers were paid by the box or by the pound. In this photo, probably taken in the 1890s, a man checks with workers in a western Washington hopfield. At this hop farm, many of the men harvesting the hops are Chinese.

Full title: Hop picking; showing plants, boxes for carrying picked hops and actual method of picking. Original photograph: 189-?. Copied after 1975 by the Museum of History and Industry.

• Subjects (LCTGM): Agricultural laborers Brewing industry; Chinese--Employment; Harvesting; Hops