The Sun.
London, England, 1849-08-22 00:00:00

HOP INTELLIGENCE.

BOROUGH, AUGUST 20.—0 n Friday' evening the
first pocket of new hops arrived at market, the
growth of Mr. Henry Smith, of Etchingham, Sussex.
On the following day another pocket arrived from
Mr. Henham, of East Peckham, Kent. The Sussex
pocket sold at 10/., and the Kent pocket at 111. 4s.
per cwt. The picking will not generally commence
before the 20th of September. The accounts from
Mid Kent this morning come much worse. The
mould is making sad havoc in many of the best
grounds. During the past week there have been
large sales of yearlings (1848) and old hops. We
have a firm market to-day, and last week's prices
fully supported. The duty estimated at 65,000/. to
70,0001.
MAIDSTONE.—The mould is rapidly increasing,
even in some of the best grounds, which are " platty, '
the small hops showing no disposition to grow. The
cold nights are much against them.
CRANBROOK.—The plant does not in general pre-
sent so promising an appearance as reported in our
last. The high winds have beaten the bine severely,
and the coldness of the atmosphere has very much
retarded its growth. The whole of the plantation
still remains in a state of fluctuation, with the chances
against it. Those whose opinions we last week stated
to be in favour of 80,0001. duty, do not now feel so
sanguine on the matter.
ROLVENDEN.—The hops are gone back for this last
week. Our crop will be very short this year. The
greater part of our ground will not do anything. In

a few partial grounds we may get 110 cwt. per acre.
Duty 65,000/.
WEST MALLING.—Some few grounds have im-
proved in appearance, where the burr has come into
hop and shows itself, while others look as black and
drooping as blight can make them, and not having
strength to force the burr. Mould is increasing. If
they are not much better at other places, we cannot
see how the present estimated duty is to be realised.
EAST MALLINGL—We cannot report any percep-
tible improvement in the blighted grounds; but in
the more favoured gardens there is decidedly an im-
provement. No mould to notice.
WROTHAM.—The hops present a very unfavourable
appearance in this part, and there is not so much as
any appearance of burr on many of them.
BRENCHLEY.—Our hops continue very bad, with
the exception of a few favourite pieces. We shall not
average two pockets per acre.
YALDING.—Our hops are getting on favourably in
the good grounds, but the bad are past all recovery.
BIDDENDEN AND SMARDEN.—The hops are making
but slow progress. The bine is very short, and but
little burr. The hops come out slowly, the cold
nights being much against them. A bet has been
made that Smarden will not average cwt. per
acre ; they have improved a little since the bet was
made.
EDENBRIDGE.—There is a slight improvement
visible. The wind and cold nights are very much
against them, but still the burr is getting into hop.
HuRSTGREEN.—We can quote no general improve,
ment in hops this week. Many seem to stand still,
and not yet out into hop, while a few are improved
and many get worse.
FARNHAM, ALTON, AND COUNTRY DISTRICTS, AUG.
20.—The very best grounds are progressing pretty
favourably, but the hot days and cold nights do not
favour the blighted and backward plantations. Duty
for the district supposed to be over-rated at 4,0001.;
last year it realised 12,900/.
WORCESTER, AUG. 15.--The Worcester Journal
says the duty is laid at 7,000/. to 8,000/.
PAYMENT OF THE HOP DUTY.—The day fixed for
the payment of the first instalment of the postponed
duty is the 15th October. The second instalment is
payable on the 15th November.—Maidstone Gazette
of this day.