The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-07 00:00:00

HOP INTELLIGENCE-THE CROPS.

(From the Maidstone Journal.)
MAIDSTONE, Oct. 3.—The accounts daily received
from the hop districts confirm, in a greater or less de-
gree, the fact, that the yield this year will be much less
than even the least sanguine anticipated. It is really
surprising to hear how short the best grounds come
down, and the slack bine is so extensive through Mid
Kent, that good quality hops must fetch high prices.
The Canterbury hop plantation is much short of last
year's produce, and the planters are talking of very long
prices—something approaching to 1823 and 1825. We
should not be surprised to find the duty below 120,0001.
We select the following returns as samples of the
whole :—•

ASH, Oct. 3.----Hop-picking is general, but they come
down short of expectation. There cannot be more than
one-half of last year's crop, which, with the extra acre-
age, will make the duty about 130,0001.
BEARSTED, Oct. I.—The picking is going on rapidly,
but, like the rest of the neighbouring parishes, they
come down short of expectation. The fine piece of hops
on the Church Farm, set by some of your correspondents
two or three weeks ago at 15 cwt., and some 20 cwt. per
acre, will fall very short of that quantity.
BRENCHLEY, Oct. 3.—Although the picking is going
on, it is not satisfactory as to the quantity gathered,
which is generally much short of what was expected at
the commencement. We never knew so many hops to
be picked at this late season of the year, and where the
borough estimate is to be paid from we are at a loss to
guess.

THE SUTTONS, Oct. 3.—The hops continue to come
down considerably short and of variable quality.
TICEHURST, Oct. 3.—The hop-picking is progressing
in this neighbourhood, and the general complaint is that
they come down short of what was expected, and we
fear bright samples will be scarce this year, as the effects
of the late winds are very clearly to be seen.
WEST FABLEIGH AND YALDING, OCt. I.—Picking is
general, and it is universally acknowledged that the hops
come down considerably below expectation. The oldest
planters were never more out of their judgment ; many
even half. The duty will not, it is said, exceed
130,0001., and may fall below that. Some samples will
be fine and good ; but the growth is, generally, far
from good. Another week will, in most places, end the
picking. The whole year has been unkindly for vegeta-
tion ; this, added to the late wet and wind, has rendered
the crop of hops so small.
STAPLEHURST, HOP FAIL—The annual hop fair for this
district was held on Wednesday last, at the King's Head
Inn. There was a good attendance of planters and fac-
tors, but little business was done in the early part of the
day, as the growers were mindful of the result of last
year's sales here, and wanted more money than the mer-
chants were inclined to give. An excellent dinner was
served at two o'clock, by Mr. Butcher, the landlord, of
which about 50 gentlemen partook. Mr. Anderson, of
Horsmonden, presided ; the vice-chair being filled by
Mr. Weston, of Cranbrook. When the cloth was re-
moved, the chairman said that as they were met there
for business, he presumed that speeches would not be
looked for • but, as Englishmen, he must give them
The Health of the Queen, Prince Albert, and the rest
of the Royal Family." The toast was heartily responded
to. Business was then resumed. Mr. Beecher, of
Brenchley, the first seller last year, sold some Weald of
Kent Jones's for 101., refusing 11/. for another sample
Mr. Simmonds, of Saplehurst, refused 141. for a fine
sample of Goldings, which were not disposed of. Prices
ranged generally, from 121. to 141. for Goldings ; from
101. to 121. for Jones's; and from 101. to 11/. for Grapes.
There was no Colegates. The figures presented a re-
markable contrast to those quoted last year, when the
highest price was only 41. The general impression of
the planters seemed to be that the duty would not be
more than 130,000/. or 135,0001.
CRANBROOK FAlR.—This fair, which is the largest and
most important for business transactions in the Weald
of Kent, inasmuch as it is held in the very centre of
the extensive hop-growing districts of Kent and Sussex
(counties which are no less celebrated for their pure
breed of stock and sheep than for their fine-flavoured
hops), took place on Thursday last (Michaelmas-day).
The weather was very unpropitious ; and this fact, com-
bined with that of its now being the middle of the hop-
gathering season, prevented so strong a muster of
farmers, &c ,as we have sometimes seen. There was,
however, a good sprinkling of hop-growers, factors,
merchants, and dealers ; and we need scarcely add that
hops were the all-engrossing topic of conversation.
There was scarcely a grower but who was prepared
with a few good samples • but there was evinced a very
general disposition to hold back for better prices. There
were some ordinary " Wealds" sold for from 9/. to 101.
per cwt. One gentleman, Mr. David Butler, of Mount
Pleasant, in this parish, who invariably produces a fine
sample, refused 101. 10s. on this occasion. These hops
were superior in colour and quality, and there is but
little doubt but they will fetch considerably more money.
All our hops, however, are well grown, are free from
mould, and every other impurity, and will, East Kents
except-d, carry the crack this year. Opinion seemed
generally to prevail against the realisation of 130,0001.
duty. If such figures only are obtained, prices will be
certainly better even than at present. We congratulate
the growers on the happy turn which things seem to be
taking. For the first time since the establishment of
free trade in corn, prospects are brightening up towards
Kent and Sussex hop-growers ; and if Parliament would
be ingenuous enough to strike the war charge on hops
off the statute-book, we might " cheer, boys, cheer," in
anticipation of the "good times coining" soon. As it
is, however, the wind has got out of "due east," and
the silvery lining of the cloud is already seen. It is a
" long lane that has no turning," and the truth of the
proverb was never more obviously manifest than it is
now in the hop-growing districts of Kent and Sussex.
Some of our smaller growers were approaching the edge
of the precipice, and all appeals to the legislature to
avert the impending ruin were unheeded ; but at length
a ray of prosperity has changed the scene. We must
not omit to mention the prize samples of hops exhibited
in the window of Mr. G. Tye ; they were the "observed
of all observers." Bright in colour, full of aromatic
odour, rich in condition, medicinal in properties, supe-
rior in quality, and unsurpassed in management, it would
have been impossible for this ornate show of our staple
production not to have attracted attention, and excited
the admiration even of connoisseurs. They will no
doubt win "golden opinions" from the purchasers.
There was an advance in price for all descriptions of
corn ; and what little stock and sheep were supplied
sold at about late rates. There were some fine cart colts
exhibited in the horse fair, and some of these changed
hands at very high prices. Prices for all sorts of agri-
cultural produce have not been higher for years.