Creosoting hop poles (1864)

Post date: Mar 26, 2013 8:1:43 PM

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph of 19th November 1864.

CREOSOTING HOP POLES.—On Thursday a public meeting meeting of hop planters was held at the Mitre Hotel Maidstone, " to consider what steps should be taken to compensate Mr Addis Jackson, of Orpington, for the merit of his introduction of creosote for preserving hop. poles." Mr P. S. Punnett, of Chart Sutton, was called to the chair.

—Mr H. Simmonds (the Friars, Aylesford) said that they were there, hop-planters, to testify their acknowledgments for the great benefit and saying they had derived from the use of creosote, in the preservation of hop-poles. Not only did the process greatly add to the durability of the poles, but it had also brought down the price considerably; besides which there was very material saving in labour. The documents before the meeting clearly showed that, as far back as the year 1849, Mr Jackson commenced experiments in this direction. He first dipped the entire pole but experience showed that that was not suited to the habits of the bine. He then adopted the plan of dipping only the ground ends of the poles ; and having satisfied himself as to the great utility of this plan, he invited a number the planters to see its effects. From that time similar experiments were tried by other hop-planters and the process had now come into very general adoption.

He (Mr Simmonds) therefore thought it was only due to Mr Jackson that some testimonial should be presented to him, in recognition of the great benefit, which the hop-planters had derived from his persevering efforts. Mr Simmonds concluded by moving a resolution to this effect. Mr J. Braddick (Boughton Montchlesea) seconded the motion, which was unanimously adopted. Mr J. H. Hedsoll (Loose), in moving the next resolution, that a subscription he opened, and a committee formed for collecting the same, bore personal testimony to the advantage he had experienced from the creosoting process. —This resolution was seconded by Mr W. Gilbert (Wateringbury), and also carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to Mr. Punsett, for presiding, terminated the proceedings.