Hops Research Reports, 1931-1995

Collection Overview

Title: Hops Research Reports, 1931-1995

ID: RG 262

Primary Creator: United States. Department of Agriculture

Extent: 3.0 cubic feet. More info below.

Arrangement: The Hops Research Reports collection is arranged into two series: Research Reports, 1956-1995, and Entomology Department Library, 1931-1963.

Date Acquired: 00/00/2016

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

Abstract

Efforts at Oregon State University to improve hop production scientifically started in the 1890s, but were largely abandoned with the beginning of Prohibition. Oregon State University and the United States Department of Agriculture formed a partnership in 1930 to establish a research program dedicated to developing new hop varieties suited for growing in the Pacific Northwest, determining best practices for processing and packaging, and combatting pests and disease problems that were plaguing the industry.

These annual progress reports document the research of the hop investigations; the collection also includes reports from programs in other countries. They were generated or collected by Oregon State University research faculty and the United States Department of Agriculture and pertain mainly to projects carried out by OSU and the USDA.

Reports for the years 1930-1969 can be found in the Agricultural Experiment Station Records (RG 025). Hops Research Reports (1930-1995) have been digitized, but those in Series 2 from the Entomology Department Library have not.

Scope and Content Notes

Series 1, Hops Research Reports, 1956-1995, is a collection of annual reports and progress reports related to hops research. They primarily focus on hop breeding, genetics, chemistry, and pathology. Specific topics include in hop production and brewing statistics; breeding experiments for yield, disease resistance, quality; germplasm evaluation; hop chemistry; USDA research reports and planning in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho; news article reprints; research data; the evaluation of fungicides, insecticides, and weed control measures; budget proposals; development of lab techniques; and increasing and maintaining yield. They contain detailed information on the methods and results of the research, as well as original photographs and data. Of special note is the 1956 “Annual Report of Hop Investigations,” which is the year the Cascade hop was bred; it was released in 1972.

These reports were sponsored and conducted by OSU, the USDA, the United States Brewers Association, and the Oregon and Washington Agricultural Experiment Stations, but many departments were involved in the research, including Farm Crops, Botany and Plant Pathology, Agricultural Chemistry, and the Tobacco and Specialty Crops Section, and Crops Research Division of the Agricultural Research Service at the USDA. Most were written by Alfred Haunold, Gail Nickerson, Sam Likens, and Charles Horner.

There are also reports in this collection that are not from the USDA program, but they were collected by scientists at Oregon State University. These reports include studies from the Institute of Hop Research in Zalec, Yugoslavia and the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry at the State University of Ghent, Belgium.

Series 2, the Entomology Department Library, 1931-1963, consists of materials created and collected by Hugh Morrison, which were bound by the Entomology Department for their faculty's use. Of special note are Morrison's hand-written notes and annotations. Specific topics include hop pest control and investigation, insecticide studies, hop production, breeding, disease management, worker poisoning, chemical and pesticide residue in beer, and quality control. The series includes reports, data, photographs, notes, correspondence, project proposals, research project outlines for various departments, short-term project reports, research articles, annotated reports, promotional materials from chemical companies, and literature reviews.

Many of these research studies were collaborative projects with departments such as Agricultural Engineering, Bacteriology, Plant Pathology, Food Technology, Farm Crops, Experiment Stations, and Horticulture, as well as the United States Brewers Association and United States Brewers Foundation.

Biographical / Historical Notes

Efforts at Oregon State University to improve hop production scientifically started in the 1890s, but were largely abandoned with the beginning of Prohibition. Following repeal of Prohibition, the hop industry quickly recovered, only to be threatened again by the invasion of downy mildew. At that time, most American hops were the Clusters variety, which was extremely susceptible to the downy mildew pathogen. Further, most American hops were grown in Oregon's Willamette Valley, a high-rainfall area ideally suited to downy mildew infections.

U.S. government support for hop research started at Oregon State University in 1930, a time when the majority of American hops were grown in Oregon. Initial research efforts focused on breeding new varieties with a genetic resistance to downy mildew and that were suited for growing in the Pacific Northwest, as well as developing chemical control measures to combat the pest and disease problems that were plaguing the industry. In later years, work expanded to include agronomic, physiological, pathology, chemical investigations, and processing and packaging. Research also expanded to Washington and Idaho.

Over the years many Oregon State University departments and researchers have participated in the program. Departments represented in the reports in this collection include Farm Crops, Botany and Plant Pathology, Agricultural Chemistry, Weed Science, and Entomology. The Agricultural Experiment Stations of California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington are also represented in the reports. Departments from Washington State University that participated in the program for these years include the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, the College of Agriculture, and Home Economics. Research divisions at the Agricultural Research Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture include the Tobacco and Specialty Crops Section, Crops Research Division; the Oilseed and Industrial Crops Research Branch; and the Plant Science Research Division.

Other notable related organizations include the Oregon and Washington hops commissions, Hop Growers of America, Hop Research Council, U.S. Hop Administration Committee, U.S. Brewers Association, American Society of Brewing Chemists, and Miller Brewing Company.

Hugh E. Morrison, who created and collected the reports in Series 2, was a research entomologist with the Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station from 1937 until his death in 1967. Morrison's research focused on hop pests; life, habits, and control of symphylans; injurious soil arthropods; and development of soil insecticides for control of pests affecting crops such as potatoes, corn, carrots, and mint.

Since the program began there have been many people who participated in the research. Oregon State University researchers involved in the work included in this collection include Stanley Brooks (Research Agronomist), Chester Horner (Agent Plant Pathologist), Sam Likens (Chemist), WD Loomis, LC Terriere, U Kiigemagi, Gail Nickerson (Agricultural Chemistry), JF Anderson, Charles Zimmerman, AP Appleby (Weed Science), RE Berry (Entomology), Ulrich Gampert (Research Assistant), Peggy Whitney (Research Assistant), Donna Kling (Research Assistant). Researchers from Washington State University include CE Nelson, WW Cone, RE Klein, RG Evans, R Parker, RG Stevens, and Steve Kenny. Researchers for the USDA include Alfred Haunold (Genetics USDA-ARS), Richard Hampton (Pathology USDA-ARS), and RH Converse (USDA-SEA Virology).

Author: Tiah Edmunson-Morton

Administrative Information

More Extent Information: 3 boxes

Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.

Acquisition Note: These reports were donated to the Special Collections and Archives Research Center by Dr. Shaun Townsend, Crop and Soil Science Department, in 2016. The materials in Series 2 were donated by the Oregon Integrated Pest Management Center in 2023.

Related Materials:

The Hops Research Reports collection is complemented by several other collections.

Of special note are the Hugh E. Morrison Papers, Agricultural Experiment Station Records (RG 025); Crop Science Department Records (RG 095); Entomology Department Records (RG 027); Extension Service Records (RG 111); Botany and Plant Pathology Department Records (RG 054); the Hops Research Council Records (MSS HRC); Oregon Hop Growers Association Records (MSS OHGA); the Hop Press Newsletters (PUB 487); and the Brewing and Fermentation Research Collection (MSS BFRC).

There are also many pictures included in photographic collections such as the Extension and Experiment Station Communications Photograph Collection (P 120); the Extension Bulletin Illustrations Photograph Collection (P 020); the Agriculture Photograph Collection (P 040); and the Gerald W. Williams Collection (MSS WilliamsG).

Additional materials related Oregon State University research and manuscript collections are detailed on the Oregon Hops and Brewing Archives library research guide. More information pertaining to the history of hop growing and brewing in Oregon can be found on the Oregon Hops and Brewing Archives website.

The Oregon Hops and Brewing Archives Oral History Collection (OH 35) includes interviews with Oregon State University and USDA researchers, as well as other related to agriculture and brewing in the Pacific Northwest. All oral histories are available online.

Preferred Citation: Hops Research Reports (RG 262), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Box and Folder Listing

Series 1: Hops research reports, 1956-1995

Box-Folder 1.01: Annual Report of Hop Investigations, 1956: Report written by Stanley Brooks, Research Agronomist; Chester Horner, Agent Plant Pathologist; and Sam Likens, Chemist. Departments included in this research are Farm Crops, Botany and Plant Pathology, Agricultural Chemistry, Tobacco and Specialty Crops Section, and Crops Research Division ARS and USDA.
Box-Folder 1.02: Annual Report of Hop Investigations, 1957: Report written by Stanley Brooks, Research Agronomist; Chester Horner, Agent Plant Pathologist; and Sam Likens, Chemist. Departments included in this research are Farm Crops, Botany and Plant Pathology, Agricultural Chemistry, Tobacco and Specialty Crops Section, and Crops Research Division ARS and USDA.
Box-Folder 1.03: Annual Report of Hop and Mint Investigations, 1967
Box-Folder 1.04: Annual Report of Hop and Mint Investigations, 1968
Box-Folder 1.05: Progress Report of Hop Research, 1969: Report written by W. Loomis, L. Terriere, U. Kiigemagi, Gail Nickerson, J. Anderson, C. Nelson, Alfred Haunold, Charles Horner, Sam Likens, and Charles Zimmerman. Work sponsored by the U.S. Brewers Association and conducted by the USDA in cooperation with the Oregon and Washington Agricultural Experiment Stations.
Box-Folder 1.06: Annual Report of Hop and Mint Investigations, 1970: Report written by Charles Zimmerman. Departments represented in the research are the Oilseed and Industrial Crops Research Branch, Plant Science Research Division, USDA Agricultural Research Service, and the Washington Agricultural Experiment Station. Original photographs are included in this report.
Box-Folder 1.07: Annual Report of Hop and Mint Investigations, Breeding, Genetics, Pathology, and Culture, 1970: Report written by Charles Horner, Alfred Haunold, Sam Likens. Departments represented in the research are the Oilseed and Industrial Crops Research Branch; Plant Science Research Division; USDA Agricultural Research Service; the U.S Brewers Association; and the California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington Agricultural Experiment Stations. Original photographs are included.
Box-Folder 1.08: Annual Report of Hop and Mint Investigations, 1971: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Sam Likens, and Charles Horner. Departments represented in the research are the USDA Agricultural Research Service; the U.S Brewers Association; and the California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington Agricultural Experiment Stations.
Box-Folder 1.09: Annual Research Report: Institute of Hop Research, Yugoslavia, 1975: Report written by Tone Wagner, from the Institute of Hop Research in Zalec, Yugoslavia.
Box-Folder 1.10: Annual Report: Hop Breeding, Genetics, Chemistry, and Pathology, 1975: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Sam Likens, and Charles Horner.
Box-Folder 1.11: Annual Report: Hop Breeding, Genetics, Chemistry, and Pathology, 1976: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Sam Likens, and Charles Horner.
Box-Folder 1.12: Hop Research Annual Report: Hop Breeding, Genetics, Chemistry, and Pathology, 1977: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Sam Likens, and Charles Horner.
Box-Folder 1.13: Hop Research Annual Report: Hop Breeding, Genetics, Chemistry, and Pathology, 1978: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Sam Likens, and Charles Horner, with the cooperation of AP Appleby, Weed Science; RE Berry, Entomology; RH Converse, USDA-SEA Virology.
Box-Folder 1.14: Hop Research Annual Report: Hop Breeding, Genetics, Chemistry, and Pathology, 1979: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Sam Likens, and Charles Horner, with the cooperation of AP Appleby, Weed Science; RE Berry, Entomology; Gail Nickerson, Agricultural Chemistry; RH Converse, USDA-SEA Virology.
Box-Folder 1.15: Analysis of Hops Bitter Acids: State University of Ghent, Krijgslaan, Belgium, 1979: Report written by M Verzele, J Van Dyck, and H Claus.
Box-Folder 1.16: Australian Hop Marketers Research Report, 1979: Report written by MG Cleary, IJ Edwards, and PJ Versluys.
Box-Folder 1.17: Hop Research Annual Report: Hop Breeding, Genetics, Chemistry, and Pathology, 1980: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Genetics USDA-ARS; Sam Likens, Chemistry USDA-ARS; Richard Hampton, Pathology USDA-ARS; and Gail Nickerson, Chemistry OSU.
Box-Folder 1.18: Annual Report to the US Hop Research Council, 1981: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Genetics USDA-ARS; Sam Likens, Chemistry USDA-ARS; Richard Hampton, Pathology USDA-ARS; and Gail Nickerson, Chemistry OSU.
Box-Folder 1.19: Hop Research Annual Report: Hop Breeding, Genetics, Chemistry, and Pathology, 1982: Report written by Alfred Haunold, RO Hampton, and Gail Nickerson.
Box-Folder 1.20: EBC Hops Workshop: Folder 1, 1978: April 10-12,1978. Papers given by 33 researchers. Workshop materials of Gail Nickerson.
Box-Folder 1.21: EBC Hops Workshop: Folder 2, 1978: April 10-12,1978. Papers given by 33 researchers. Workshop materials of Gail Nickerson.
Box-Folder 2.01: Annual Report: Hop Breeding, Genetics, and Chemistry, 1983: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Research Geneticist for the USDA-ARS, and Gail Nickerson, Chemist for Oregon State University.
Box-Folder 2.02: Hop Reports, 1984: Report includes correspondence, research, proposals and findings, news clippings for the Oregon Hop Commission, Hop Research Council, Miller Brewing Company, American Society of Brewing Chemists, U.S. Hop Administrative Committee, Hop Growers of America, and the Washington Hop Commission.
Box-Folder 2.03: Hop Research, 1985: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Research Geneticist for the USDA-ARS, and Gail Nickerson, Chemist for Oregon State University.
Box-Folder 2.04: Annual Research Summary: Hop Breeding, Genetics, and Chemistry, 1986: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Research Geneticist for the USDA-ARS, and Gail Nickerson, Chemist for Oregon State University.
Box-Folder 2.05: Annual Research Summary: Hop Breeding, Genetics, and Chemistry, 1987: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Research Geneticist for the USDA-ARS, and Gail Nickerson, Chemist for Oregon State University.
Box-Folder 2.06: Annual Research Summary: Hop Breeding, Genetics, and Chemistry, 1988: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Research Geneticist for the USDA-ARS, and Gail Nickerson, Chemist for Oregon State University.
Box-Folder 2.07: Annual Research Summary: Hop Breeding, Genetics, and Chemistry, 1989: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Research Geneticist for the USDA-ARS; Gail Nickerson, Chemist for Oregon State University; and Ulrich Gampert and Peggy Whitney, Research Assistants. Project managed by the USDA and Oregon State University Department of Crop and Soil Science.
Box-Folder 2.08: Annual Research Summary: Hop Breeding, Genetics, and Chemistry, 1990: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Research Geneticist for the USDA-ARS; Gail Nickerson, Chemist for Oregon State University; and Ulrich Gampert and Peggy Whitney, Research Assistants. Project managed by the USDA and Oregon State University Department of Crop and Soil Science.
Box-Folder 2.09: Annual Research Summary: Hop Breeding, Genetics, and Chemistry, 1992: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Research Geneticist for the USDA-ARS; Gail Nickerson, Chemist for Oregon State University; and Ulrich Gampert and Donna Kling, Research Assistants. Project managed by the USDA and Oregon State University Department of Crop and Soil Science.
Box-Folder 2.10: Annual Research Summary: Hop Breeding, Genetics, and Chemistry, 1993: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Research Geneticist for the USDA-ARS; Gail Nickerson, Chemist for Oregon State University; and Ulrich Gampert and Donna Kling, Research Assistants. Project managed by the USDA and Oregon State University Department of Crop and Soil Science.
Box-Folder 2.11: Annual Research Data Summary: Hop Breeding, Genetics, and Chemistry, 1994: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Research Geneticist for the USDA-ARS; Gail Nickerson, Chemist for Oregon State University; and Ulrich Gampert and Donna Kling, Research Assistants. Project managed by the USDA and Oregon State University Department of Crop and Soil Science.
Box-Folder 2.12: Annual Research Summary: Hop Breeding, Genetics, and Chemistry, 1995: Report written by Alfred Haunold, Research Geneticist for the USDA-ARS; Gail Nickerson, Chemist for Oregon State University; and Ulrich Gampert and Donna Kling, Research Assistants. Project managed by the USDA and Oregon State University Department of Crop and Soil Science.
Box-Folder 2.13: Washington Hop Commission: 1994 Reports and 1995 Proposals, 1995: Report written by WW Cone, RE Klein, RG Evans, R Parker, RG Stevens, Steve Kenny for the Washington State University Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, College of Agriculture, and Home Economics.

Series 2: Entomology Department Library, 1931-1963

These materials were created by Hugh Morrison, and then collected and bound by the Entomology Department for use by their faculty. Included are reports, data, photographs, notes, correspondence, project proposals, research articles, annotated reports, promotional materials from chemical companies, and literature reviews. Some are organized by annual report and others by projects.

Box-Folder 3.01: Hop Pest Reports, 1931-1951: 1931 Farm Crops short course on hops; 1937 Hop Pest Report; 1937 Quassia as an insecticide; 1940 Tests with DNOCHP on truck and farm crops (with JD Vertrees); 1941 Frequency distribution studies on hop aphids and mites; 1945 Summary of Hop Pest investigations; 1948 Methods for determination of insect infestations in hops; 1951 Nicotine in beer; 1950 Chemical test for honeydew; 1951 Parathion not found in beer; 1951 Summary of hop pest control; 1951 Parathion brewing tests. Of note is correspondence from the Tobacco By-products and Chemical Corporation.
Box-Folder 3.02: Hop pests and Their Control Reports, 1937-1938: Two reports, both by HE Morrison: Hop Pests Report and Hop Pests and Their Control.
Box-Folder 3.03: Investigations on Control of Hop Pests, 1939: Report by HE Morrison.
Box-Folder 3.04: Hop Pests and Their Control, 1940: Hop Pests and Their Control: A Report of the Control of the Red Spider and Other Closely Related Problems During the Season of 1940, by HE Morrison and JD Vertrees (Research Fellow, Dow Chemical Company).
Box-Folder 3.05: Hop Pests and Their Control, Annotated, 1940
Box-Folder 3.06: Hop Pests and Control, 1941
Box-Folder 3.07: Hop Pest Report, 1941-1953: 1952 Hop Pest Studies Ovotran; 1953 The Anomaly of Systox; 1952 Raw Data Systox on hops; 1952 Raw data aerial spraying of parathion, in cooperation with Forest Grove Lab; 1952 New chemicals for aphid control: Isolan, diazinon, parazoxon OMPA etc.; 1951 Recommendations hop pest control; 1941 Identification of spider mites on hops by McGregor; 1951 Summary of foreign workers with Systox on hops; 1949 Washington State Hop Pest Recommendations; 1952 Terrier's report on insecticide residues on hops. Includes hand written notes on field tests and correspondence related to worker poisoning from parathion.
Box-Folder 3.08: Hop Pests and Their Control, 1942: Report by HE Morrison.
Box-Folder 3.09: Hop Pest Investigation and Hop Pest Report, 1943-1944: Report by HE Morrison and WB Rasmussen.
Box-Folder 3.10: Hop Pest Report, 1947: Report by HE Morrison and HH Crowell.
Box-Folder 3.11: Hop Pest Control, 1951-1957: Quarterly reports, Correspondence pertaining to Systox registration, Testimony submitted by Chemagro on Systox on hops, and data related to the chemicals Dimefox, Guthion, Kelthane, Diazinon, and Chelates. Also includes promotional materials from chemical companies, correspondence related to the efficacy and danger of specific chemicals, correspondence with hops companies, publications, and research data.
Box-Folder 3.12: Research Project Outlines, 1951-1962: Improvement of Yield and Quality of Hops (1958); Development of a Method for the Isolation of Hop Volitiles from Brewing Products (proposal to the United States Brewers Association, 1962); Soil Treatment for Antidoting Insect and Weed Spray Residue (1949); The Effect of Telon, Vapam, and other Soil Fumigants on Soil Microorganisms (1958); Entomological Pests on Truck, Vegetable Seed, and Certain Specialty Crops (1958); Toxicology and Testing of Insecticides (1958); The Study of Arthropods Affecting Man and Animals (1951); Investigations of the Affect of Lindane Sprays on Swine (1950); The Study and Control of Injurious Soil Arthropods (1950); The Biometrics and Control of Injurious Soil Arthropods; Development of Mechanical Equipment for the Application of Agricultural Chemicals (1961); Biology and Control of Insect Pests of Mint and Dill (1961). Collaborative projects with departments including Agricultural Engineering, Bacteriology, Plant Pathology, Food Technology, Farm Crops, Experiment Stations, and Horticulture.
Box-Folder 3.13: Hop Pest Reports, 1953-1954: Includes report, data, correspondence with Lucky Lager Brewing Company about the residue of insecticides in beer, final report to the US Brewers Association about the parathion content of beer brewed from treated hops. 1954 report by HE Morrison and Samuel Kamaka. Departments and Cooperating agencies: Department of Entomology, Agricultural Chemistry, Farm Crops, and US Brewers Foundation.
Box-Folder 3.14: Hop Production Reports, 1955-1956: Reports by HE Morrison and BG Thompson. Includes annual report for hop production, breeding, disease management, and quality control. Bound volume also includes reports on the role of wild bees and honey bees in crop production, control of nursery and greenhouse pests, insect control in grain storage, and biological research and control of pests in nut crops.
Box-Folder 3.15: Reports on Hop Pests and Projects, 1956-1957
Box-Folder 3.16: Hop Pest Report, 1957: Raw data on population counts; correspondence on Systox registration on hops; Guthion and Diazinon residues on hops; flavor evaluations on beer made from Diazinon treated hops; insecticide studies; downy mildew control; Irrigation Fertility Experiments; and hop quality studies. Includes research reports and data, correspondence with companies such as Geigy Agricultural Chemicals (originators of DDT insecticides), progress report on Chemical Fate of Insecticides Applied to Hops by Brewing Industries Research Institute and the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station, Schwartz Laboratories study on brewing using hops sprayed with Diazinon, and research articles.
Box-Folder 3.17: Hop Pest Control Reports, 1957: 1957 Report on Hop Pest Control, HE Morrison and 1957 Annual Progress Report.
Box-Folder 3.18: Short-term Project Reports, 1957-1963: Hop production, breeding, disease, and quality investigations; annual reports; travel report for Stanley Brooks; improvement of yield and quality of hops; labor saving design for farm machinery and equipment from the Department of Labor.
Box-Folder 3.19: Hop Pest Reports, 1958: Hop Pest Report by HE Morrison, correspondence from Manfred Born (in German) and Yakima Valley Spray Company; text for Agricultural Experiment State Circular 589 "Controlling Hop Pests," and annual hop breeding report.
Box-Folder 3.20: Hop Pest Control and Systemics on Beans, 1959: 1959 Hop Pest Control and Preliminary Test with Systemic Insecticides on Beans; correspondence regarding registration of DDT, nicotine, and methoxychlor; petitions for use of DDT, nicotine, and methoxychlor on hops; rejection of petitions by FDA; Letter regarding DDT drift from tomatoes to hops; correspondence regarding Tedion residues on hops; paper by HE Morrison on hop pest prevention; article on pesticide chemicals a factor in hop die out from a Washington State College Circular; hop pest control, includes report by committee on hop research and affidavits by growers; and hop work plans for entomology and other regional projects.
Box-Folder 3.21: Hop Pest Reports, 1960: Annual hop project report; correspondence regarding the restriction in use of DDT, nicotine, and methoxychlor on hops; correspondence regarding the use of Dimecron; report on DDT residue in wet and dried hops; and dusting strategies for pest and disease control.
Box-Folder 3.22: Hop Pest Control Report, 1961-1963: Hop Pest Control Report; correspondence on insect determinations, on Thimet (with Ed Smith), on Metasyatox residues on hops and dill; and publications on hop investigations.