The Express.
London, England, 1868-10-27 00:00:00

2718 GROWTH OF HOPS OF ISM

The put seance kw been one of the moat variable and
precarious known to hop gmwerw for many years, for at the
period of the bins casting of the young hop shoots there was the
promise of one of the finest and heaviest hop mope of many
years ; there was an entire absence of mildew and insect., which
invariably infest the younghop mops and deteriorate the produce,
and the hop growers very reasonably estimated an untrually
Lirovy yield. In Kent and other well cultivated hop &gram the
tor.w. reunmetedentedly large, and there wasevery prom. et that
at pi. king time a prolille season would be the result; but towards
the elocie of the manner the continued drought met in, which very
fearfully militated termini the consummation of the bop mop.
throughout the muntry ; hut the want of mouton to the h,t)
roots had an intrious effect—the foliage of the hops expanded
and lormic light and chaffy, and the aroma 'v....untie' to goad
qualities was `Lost; and after gathering, the procose of kiln drying
was &hoopt imperfltions, and the hops trod into the pocket.
lailky and light. In the present year a larger acreage of hop
land was gathered and mired than at any memo. pyre.
In 11+56 hop cultivation in this country had attained its highest
standard, and 57,707 11,1%11 of land was devoted to the cultivation
of hops, and a sum of L321.•365 was paid ae old hop dirty (with
additiorfal imposta) to the Inland revenue; but from that year
many bop ger&ns were grubbed up, and in the next four years
land encl.'. hop eitilivat i, in had been:diminished by 14.014 aces
end in 1e.69 the hop yield washeavy, and the old duty amounted
to 1E338,070 eon the;growth of 43,719 saes of hops, but on the
total abolition of the hop duty growers comm.:m.l extruding
hop plantations which have annually increawd, and this year
I;,sWacne of hope have been gathered and mired. Kent is the
barest hop county, and ecimpnrea nearly 31+,000 area of hop
garden. Runes fa • large hop county, but Worcestershire i. a
more eatenaive sod important hop growaw locality, and the hop
machos are being increased. Berefire cultivates a lame
section of hop land. Hants and Birks comprise tem
grosiog districts. thomy has attained celebrity for it.
produce of hope of peculiar and superior rich flavour,
and preacesing prom/tire of high carte, the hop. of this
county ~ffarnhains) have hitherto attained the highest
value ; but this year they were surpassed by Kent, and
which were most decidedly the best qualities. Sussex has grown
from 7 to 14 cwt. an acre, but the qualitito am of low standard.
Kent produced an average yield of S cwt. an acre: and
Surrey varied from 7 to 12 cwt. ; and country ; various) ato 11
ewt. per acre. It la computed that it the bop crops this year had
matured perfectly, the egginerate growth would be equivalent to
an old duty of £410,000; vMmess, the premature ripening data-
niihed the weight and qualities. The following is the Wit of
bops sold at the great Weyhill fain the last two year. :-1907 •.
Samos, 37 71. to llft ale. per cert.. Farnham.. 39 10s. to L 11; Mid
and East Rents, 1:9 to Lt 1 10s.; Wields, Ell to £8 Lis.; and year-
ling., fa to 3.8 pas cwt. 18118 freseex. 32 10s. to 34 ; Farntuuns,
14 to LS ; Mid and East Heats, 33 100. to 14 100. ;
_and Weald.,
L 3 to L 4 14s. per cwt. • thus showing a material reduction in the
price of this INNUOII.IIIOpI.