The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-24 00:00:00

HOP INTELLIGENCE.

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MAIDSTONE, July 21.—The magnificent weather
which has now prevailed for nearly a week has worked
a miracle in many of the hop grounds in this district.
It is true they were not so far gone as in other districts,
and their recovery, is less surprising. In every dis-
trict, or nearly so, there is a change for the better ; and
Mr. Bass, M.P., the celebrated brewer, who has
been making a tour of the hop districts of Kent, de-
clared a day or two ago that he would rather bet on
150,0001. than against 50,0001., the Borough betting.
In some districts, however, it is no doubt an impossi-
bility that there should be any hope ; but we rejoice in
the prospect that the picking will not be so miserable an
affair as was anticipated.
CRANBROOK.—We have had another week of fine
July weather ; and it is impossible not to observe a
" turn for the better." In many grounds where the bine
was attacked early, and consequently checked in its
growth, the plant exhibits still an unhealthy and wretched
appearance, and looks as if it was jaundiced ; but if
the present weather does but continue, even now a small
sprinkling of hop flowers may be obtained there-
from. The vermin are becoming every day "small by
degrees and beautifully less," and a very strong effort is
now making by the bine to go a-head. In those grounds
where there is most foliage there is still a large quantity
of verocitn, but not so much as last week.
CANTERBURY AND NEIGHBOURHOOD.—Our appearance
is worse than last week ; full of filth.
HIGHAM.—The bine is improving. There is a little
fresh fly; but the nigger is very numerous.
lIOLLINGBOURN,—There has been a trifling improve-
ment since the warm weather in some grounds, whilst
others have got worse, and the vermin follow the young
shoots. Taking them altogether, they present a wretched
appearance, and without the least hope of a crop.
Ickimr.—Some gardens promise well, but the greater
part very foul and bad.
MALLING (WEST).—Generally good ; no flea • a good
many lice ; very little fly ; no mould to hurt. 'The hot
weatho has done wonders for our hops. Lice are dying
very fast. The bine is shooting out beautifully, with
some few exceptions, where the bine is very short. With
a continuance of hot weather we shall grow a good
sprinkle of bops.
MARDEN.—The appearance of the plantation is, on the
whole, unfavourable, but in some grounds there are in-
dications of improvement.
MEREWORTH.—The bine looks better. The fine weather
this week has very much improved the appearance of
the gardens. In our parish there is a prospect in some
grounds of growing a middling crop.
ROLVENDEN.—The last few warm days have caused
the bine to throw out a few fresh shoots and put on a
healthier appearance ; the lice follow very fast.
ROCIIESTER.—In some places in this neighbourhood
the bine has increased, but so closely followed up by
vermin-that there is no possible chance of any hops on
it. The whole district of Mid-Kent is decidedly worse
than last week.
STAPLEHURST.—In some grounds the hops may be said
to be improving a little, but in others they daily grow
worse ; many of the young shoots are completely covered
with lice. What this fine warm weather now experienced
may do for them remains to be seen.
TICEHURST.—We have a slight improvement in some
grounds. The lice do not follow the young shoots so
close, but we have abundance of them still alive.
WATERINGnuni.—Our hop bine certainly has im-
proved very much this last week, and the young branches
have shot out from 12 to 18 inches, and look a good
colour, but in some grounds there is still lice and mould.
WROTHAM (LOWER DIVISION).—A slight improvement
is
Theena't
is now perceptible in the hop plantations here.e
is growing, and the vermin do not follow up the fresh
shoots.

YALDING AND WEST FABLEIGIL—The hops are gene•
rally in a worse state than they were last week. A. few
pieces may have improved where the bine has kept grow•
ing, and the lice have not been so numerous. The nig.
gers abound, but they have too much to eat.—Maiditens
Journal.