The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-08 00:00:00

HOP INTELLIGENCE.

MAIDSTONE, Sept. 3.—Hop-picking is now very general
throughout the district, and they appear thus far to come
down better than was at one time anticipated. In one plan-
tation (Mr. Buck's, Loose), no less than 2,000 bushels of
fine hops were picked on the first day (Monday), the pickers
being much in advance of the dryers. The hops, where they
are good in quantity, are also of very superior quality, and
the crop will be remunerative. We are not short of hands,
as since Friday last upwards of 15,000 hoppers have arrived
by train, independent of parties travelling by road. On
Sunday four special trains were put on at very reduced fares,
and the station-masters had, in addition, to put on a num-
ber of cattle trucks, which, as well as the carriages, were
crowded to excess, leaving no sitting space. Thanks to the
excellent arrangements made by Mr. Ragget, and the good
management of his subordinates, very little interruption has
been given to the ordinary traffic on the line.
FARNHAM, Sept. 3.—Picking has commenced, but not
generally. Some come down well, but they vary; one piece,
for example, at Tongham, is not looking near so well as they
did a week ago.
TENTERDEN, Sept. 3.—The late rains and the genial
weather have improved the hops in this parish within the
last fortnight. Picking has commenced in some parts, and,
we hear, come down faster than was expected.
TUNBRIDGE WELLS, Sept. 2.—The hops in this neigh-
bourhood give promise of an average crop. In the best kinds
of grounds they are in good condition, while those in infe-
rior situations are getting on well. Picking will very soon
commence.

THE HoP CROP ON THE CONTINENT.—The Cologne
Gazette of Saturday se'nnight contains a letter from Nu-
remberg, dated August 21, which gives the follov, ing de-
scription of the condition of the hop crop in Bavaria :
" The warm rains during the last eight days have had a
most beneficial operation on the Bavarian hop plantations,
and have promoted the growth so much that a tolerable
estimate of the crop can now be given. Spalt, Weingarten,
Moosbach, and Stirn look well, and only in the Spalt district
are some places found which have partly suffered, and can
scarcely now recover. The Hallertan growth is also good
on the whole, and promises an abundant crop. The Dollen
have for the most part sprouted there, and now begin to
ripen. The Aisch plantation, whicu looked moderately
well a fortnight since, has now much improved ; and the
same may be said of Hersbruck and Altdorf, at which places
the warm rain has had a particularly beneficial influence.
On the average Bavaria will have a good half crop, and
will also rejoice in hops of very good quality. The Dollen
growth will in no instance be heavy. The stock of 1862
hops is very low, and are sold at 50 to GO florins per cwt.
Purchases of IS6I hops have been be made at from 25 to 30
florins."
The same journal also contains the following from Prague,
dated Aug. 22 :—" The business in hops of the growth of
1862 has not been so active this week. The reports as to
the new crops are favourable, as rain has fallen in several
places. Although picking has begun in COMO plantations,
a continuous rain may yet greatly increase the growth.
Saazer-Stadtgut are quoted at 130 to 140 florins; ditto
Landgut, 110 to 115 forms. Auschau red loops are 60 to
70 florins ; ditto green hops, 50 to 60 florins."—[The Ger-
man florin is generally estimated at is. 81, a pound sterling
being usually received at 12 florins.]