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

HOP INTELLIGENCE.

EAST RETFORD, MARCH 11, 1841.—At this se 1-
SOO of the year (and particularly when we t Ike into
consideration ,the short crop of hops we have expe-
riencel for the last two years) it is somewhat imper-
tent not only to have some knowledge of the amount
of stock actually on hand, 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 cid
hops, of useable qualities, must be extremely limiter'.
The annual average growth of the . last four years
amounts to but 147,440/. of old duty ; being short of
the real consumption by nearly 25,0001. During the
years 1831, 18.32,-1833, 1834, /835, and 1836, the ex-
cess of growth over the consumption atnounted to about
18,000/. 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 arel 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
under hop cultivation has been reduced from 56,323
acres to 50,749 acres, thereby creating a deficiency
of 5,574 acres—or one-tenth of the which land 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 i'he price of this
necessary article of our home consumption, for some
time to come, so as to yield them some reamaeration
for the heavy losses they have been iustilning (a ith one
one or two trifling exceptions) since the year 1834.
Last year was cosy serious to most or all of our hop-
growers in the North Clays, many of whom lost up•
in the shape of mmanagement,oa,,crte;ithout producing so much as a
teilakrl4.se,ofi
ilo6o/o,
r,pescr
single hop, by way of set-off, to such an immense outlay
of capital. To the consumer the dearness of the article
will be a matter of considerable importance, especially
the general brewer and the victualler : to the latttr
class more especially so, because the trade they are
now doing, and the unfair competition with which
content, has reduced their legi-
timateost possible limits ; aed,
they have
business
hades s t
to o
its
otto
"it is the last feather which breaks the camel's
back," so the high price of this indispensable article
may and will in some instances prove of the most serious
consequences. To the other section of consumers, con-
sisting of the nobility, gentry, and others, the cost
of this, or any other article, is but of trifling moment,
providing it can be obta;ned for what they possess—
money. At the present period most of the hop planta-
tions are nearly finished being dug over, and on the
roots being exposed, the fact is found to be general,
that nearly every plant of last year's setting has perished,
partly through the extensive smit with which they were
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 natetahave been productive of-any injury to the
older sets. This ma; principally be attributed to the
great depth of the snow with which the ground
was covered during the severity of the frost.
The underground shoots are now from two to three
inches in length; of a good colour, and look rather pro-
mising (according to the judgment of many of the hop-
planters) ; still they are more slender than is usually
the case in the best of ye ars. Thus far we may state
that present appearances are rather more favouralA
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 hand in this district is unusually small—certainly
not more than the neighbourhood will consume, so that
another short growth must necessarily cause a greater
scarcity than we have experienced since the year 1825.
At present we have none of the growth of last year on
sale. Fine bright ones of 1839 command from 91. 9s.
to 10/. 10s. ; other kinds, according to colour and qua-
-1 ty, from 61. to Si. Bs. ; older ones from 41. 10s. to 71.
7s. The retail price of both Kente, Clays, and Sussex,
is ls. 6d. per lb.—Doncaster Gazelle.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT.—Yesterday about two
while a gentleman of the name of Pritchard was
riding up Regent-street, his horse started off near Glass-
house-street, and knocked down a man who was crossing
the street, and who, in consequence of the severe inju, •s
,
he received, was carri:d to the Middlesex Hospital. , The
horse which became
quite unmana ;cable, afterwards ran
• g.eat force Against a earrit r's cart, and was killed en
the spot. Mr. Pritchard fe'l with great violence, and
was carried to the shop of Mr. Warg'n, chemist and drug_
gist, in Regent-street The horse in the carrier's cart,
.was knocked down, and a Ittle boy was thrown out of tl-,e
cart among the feet of the horse which broke loose, but
was finally caught near Maddox-street, without causing
my fother injury.
WARWICK SPRING RACES.—The beautiful
weather of the present week has been exceedingly favour-
ibla to the rreprstion of our fine Race-course for Cc
'port of Wednesday. The Siring Races have rover pre-
mised more brightly; the ent-ies for t':e respective stakes
h&ng of the first order, and likely to attv.et an unusually
argo assemblage of visitors of rlnk and distinction. The
Alowing horses gave already arrived in the town
Jean, Colchicum, Petty Larceny, Syria, Fi2:-oy, Be
Wiiitling Billy, Ditto, True Blue.