The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-08 00:00:00

HOP INTELLIGENCE.

MAIDSTONE, Sept. s.—The hop plantations at Maid-
stone have now arrived at their best, and the weather of
the next two or three weeks, however favourable, can
do but little to increase their growth, though it may
add considerably to their condition and value. The
growth of the College ground is estimated at 3 cwt. per
acre ; a very fair crop, considering how severely it has
been attacked with the aphis blight. The garden of Mr.
Gurney, adjoining it, is too far gone to produce more
than 1 cwt. per acre ; though the garden belonging to
Mr. Plomley, which a few weeks since was in as pre-
carious a condition as the College ground, and now one of
the most beautiful in the parish, will produce 13 cwt.
per acre. The plantations of Mr. Bunyard and Mr.
Neve will produce 8 cwt. ; of Mr. Collins and Mr. Selby
nearly 10 cwt. ; and of Mr. Fourchin, 7 cwt. The
grounds at Maginford probably 7 cwt., and at Rose-acre
and Wheavening-street, about 6 cwt. per acre. The
most beautiful gardens of this neighbourhood are those
of Mr. Kippen, of Bearsted, the average produce of
which will be over 15 cwt. per acre. The above calcu-
lations as to the average produce of the gardens of this
parish and immediate neighbourhood show that there
will be about two-thirds of a crop, and as this will,
probably, be the average growth throughout the whole
hop districts, the duty cannot be much less than
160,0001. We have taken some pains to ascertain
what are the prospects of other parishes in our
own immediate neighbourhood, and the following
may be depended upon as the result of careful examina-
tion, mature judgment, and great experience :—Many
of the hop plantations at Loose will produce 13 cwt.,
the average of the pariah we set at 9 cwt. the acre. At
Linton 10 cwt. Many gardens of the extensive planta
tions of Mr. Bannerman at Hunton will produce from
20 to 25 cwt. the acre ; the average of the parish about
12 cwt. In Yalding the average, we expect, will be
about 9 cwt. the acre ; though many gardens will yield
16 cwt. Bow-hill, the beautiful estate of Mr. Elvey, in
spite of the attacks of the frog fly, will produce from 6
to 7 cwt. West Farleigh.—The hops are splendid, and
we set the average at 13 cwt. the acre. At East Far-
leigh they are not quite so good, but will average at
least 10 cwt. Torii, with but one exception, will pro-
duce a crop above the average.—Maidstone Journal.
AYLESFORD.—The past week has made very little
alteration in the general appearance of our grounds,
except that the broken poles have been restored to their
former position.
BARMING.—The hops have not progressed so well
within this few days in consequence of the very heavy
and in consequence of which we
small hops, and we fear very short
of condition, unless we have much warmer nights and
nd cold
very nighma many
y
more sun. We have mould in some grounds, which will
shorten the growth. Some of the grape grounds are
very backward is coming into hops, and, being very
late in the season, it is doubtful if they get out well.
Much will depend on the weather in the present week.
rainssh al shall havea
CRANBROOK.—The weather during the past week has
been scarcely more favourable than of late, the days
being wet and the nights cold. We are not, therefore,
enabled to report any y very great improvement in the
hop-grotinds. They have partially recovered from the
flagellation they lately received from boisterous winds,
and perchance a genial sun might yet do wonders for
them.

MEREWORTH.--The weather being ungenial the hops
make but slow progress. Picking will be very late, and
the hops, we fear, will be small.
WEST FARLEIGH AND YALDING.—The wind, as stated
last week, did great damage. The cold and wet have
added to the evil, many of the hops, halting between
two opinions, have declined to make their appearance.
The growth must be lessened, and, we fear, the quantity
also. The lateness of the season is much against the
hops.
TICEHURST. —The hops in this and adjoining parishes
have been much damaged by the late stormy weather ;
previously to that they were coming along very well,
and we fear that the fruit will be seriously injured.
WORCESTER, Sept. 2.—The present weather is much
against the growing crop of hops ; and the improvement
noticed last week has been checked by the heavy rains
and cold nights stopping the development of the burr,
and unless we have a change very shortly, the crop will
not exceed that of last year. The duty is now set- at
13,0001. for the district, and 165,000/. for the kingdom.
Prices of Sussex 1852's have advanced 3s. per cwt. the
last few days.— Worcester Journal.