The Sun.
London, England, 1841-03-16 00:00:00

HOP INTELLIGENCE.

EAST RETFORD, MARCH 11, 1841.—At this EC:-
son of the year (and particularly when we t ike into
consideration the short crop of hops we have expe-
rienced for the last two years) it is somewhat impor-
tant not only to have some knowledge of the amount
of stock actually on band, but also to possess some in-
formation as to the present appearance of the young
bine, in order to form an opinion of the actual state
and prospect of this important, though precarious
branch of our domestic agriculture. It must be ap-
parent to every person who has given the subject
any consideration, that the stock of all ages of old
hops, of useable qualities, must be extremely limited.
The annual average growth of the last tour years
amounts to but 147,4401. of old duty ; being abort of
the teal consumption by nearly 25,000/. During the
years 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1833, and 1836, the ex-
cess of growth over the consumption amounted to about
18,0001. per annum, or about 165.0001. in the whole ;
which, taking into consideration the quantities exported,
and those of such inferior qualities as were unfit for use,
leaves the quantity now on hand considerably short of a
year's consumption. Perhaps, however, owing to the
dearness of the article, and the fact that when it is so
other ingredients are substituted, there may be as many
now in the hands of the growers and factors as may
serve the country until Midsummer 1842. Then sup-
posing we should grow less than an average crop this
season ; or, what is very probable, suppose it should be
barely a half crop, what must be the price of hops be-
fore a sufficient quantity can be produced to satisfy the
wants of the community ? Besides, it is a well-
ascertained fact, that since the year 1837, such has
been the low price of the article, and the great losses
suffered by the growers, that the quantity of land
sunder hop cultivation has been reduced from 56,323
acres to 50,749 acres, thereby ma wing a deficiency
of 5,574 acres—or one-tenth of the whole hod thus
appropriated in the kingdom. With these data be-
fore us, it becomes a question of considerable importance
what is the nature of our future prospects ? To the
;growers they are certainly cheering, inasmuch as there
is some probability that such will be the price of this
necessary article of our home consumption, for some
time to come, so as to yield them some remuneration
foe the heavy losses they have been sustaining (a ith one
one or
w two. trifling exceptions) since the year 1834.
Last }est. as very serious .to most or ail of our bei,_
growers in the North Clays, many of whom logic up-
wards of 161. per acre, in the shape of management,
tillage, 1 ibour, &c., without producing at much as a
single hop, by way of set-off, to such an immense outlay
of capital. To the consumer the deftness of the article
will be a matter of considerable importance, especially
the general brewer and the 'victualler : to the latter
elites more especially so, because the trade tl:ey arc
stow doing, and the unfair competition with which
they have had to contend, has reduced their legi-
timate business to itsutmost possible limits ; an,
as " it is the last feather
of therwhich breaks the camel's
Lack," so the ugh price
this indispensable article
imay and will in someincltane prove of the most serious
.consequences. To the Wi ers
sectioniof consumers, con-
sisting of the nobility, gentry,
others, the cost
of this, or any other article, is but of
t
g t
o vtee
/providing it can be obtained for what they illing
moment,amaney. At the present period
of hre hop phmta..
p 053 C
abne d on the
Lions are nearly finished being
mdous
en
-roots being exposed, the fact it found to
that nearly every plant of last year's setting has perished,a
eral,
partly through the extensive smit with which tl:ey wer
afflicted, and partly from the excessive wet weather
which they experienced during the latter part of
"the summer and the commencement of autumn.
'The late winter, although so excessively severe, ap-
pears not to have been prrlziuctive of any injury is the
older sets. This may principally be attributed to the
great depth of 'the snow with which the ground
was covered during the severity of the frost.
The un'kjrground shoots are now from two to three
inches in length; of a good colour, and look rather pro- '
=king (according to the judgment of many of the bop-
planters) ; still they are morn slender than is usually
the case in the best of years. Thus far we may state I
that present appearances are rather more favourable
than otherwise, though such is the nature of this pro-
'verbially fickle plant, that it is impossible to say
" what a day may bring forth." The quantity of hops
on hawk in this district is unusually small—certainly
mot more than the neighbourhood wil: consume, so that
souther short growth must necessarily cause a grea'er
scarcity than we have experienced since the veer 1805.
At present we have none of the growth of last year on
sale. Fine bright ones of 1839 command from 91. 9s.
to 10/. 10e. ; other kinds, according to colour and ,
qua-
lity, from GI. to 81. Bs. ; older ones from 41. 10s. to 71.
7s. The refill price of both Bents, Clays, and Sussex,
k I ,
is is, 6d. per lb.—Doneasr Gaze-life.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT.—Ye
stemay about two
o'clock, while a gerelcman r:f fra natnc.• of Pritchard was
riding up Itegen•-street, his horse started off near Chas-
house,treet, and knocked down a man vvlio was crossing
the stre;t, and who i t con!equcnce r.f the severe
Ire rr ceiveil, was eat-tilt' to the Middlesex Hospital. The
bore, which became quite unmann;eal le, afterwards ran
with g eat force age in:t a carrier's cart, and was killed on
the spot. Mr. Pritchard fell with great vi Hence, and
was carried to the shop of Wai•gh, chemist aad drug..
gist, is Regent.street. The horse in the cirrie,'s cart,
wag knocked down, and a little boy was thrown out of t' .e
Cwa_r_
t among the feet of the horse which broke loose, but
" finally caught test. Maddox-street, without causing
any further injury.
WARWICK SPRING RACES.—The beautiful
weather of the present week has been exceedingly favour-
able to the preparation ofour
fine Race-course for ti sport of Wednesday. The
rnised more brightly; the enjiCN* Race, have rever pro-
or the re:pective stakes
being of the first order, and likely toa attract an unusually
large assemblage of visitors of rank distiretion. The
following horse, have alain
ady arrived:d the town :—The
Dean, Colchicum, Petty La cell •
S}v'Whittling Billy, Ditto,lTrue Blue: . 4"' Ben,