The Sun.
London, England, 1867-08-15 00:00:00

HOP IN7 ELLIGENCE.

MAIDSTONE, Aug. B.—The heavy rains this week,
when hot sunny weather is so much required, have
taken from us almost our only chance. Where the
burr looks well it cannot turn into hop. There are
a few, comparatively speaking, very good grounds.
The College Gardens, " Mangravit," and one or two
other plantations have hitherto looked likely to
grow something like a crop, but a speedy change of
weather is absolutely necessary to enable them to
do so. Our prospects are very disheartening.
ADDINGTON.—The hops look a trifle better, but
unless we have a speedy change in the weather,
there will be no chance of a growth. _ _ _

- _
ALLINGTON.-Our prospect of a growth of hops
is worse than ever. The bine is most foul, and the
burr cannot turn into hop.

BARMING.—We cannot expect the plant to re-
cover, with the weather so completely against it.
We give up all hope of a crop this year, so far as
this parish is concerned.
BOXLEY.—With scarcely an exception, the hops
have gone to the bad. One or two gardens show
a little brighter bin; but they are at a standstill. A
very short crop, if any at all.
BEARSTEAD.—We cannot report better than we
have done hitherto. In one or two grounds we
might grow a few hops, should we get better wea-
ther, but our chances at present are very small.

EAST AND WEST FAIRLEIGH.—LI the better
grounds there is an evident improvement, but the
hops being in burr require much warmer weather.
We find a little mould at places. Some grounds are
so foul that it is a question whether any attempt will
be made to pick up what few there may be.
LOOSE.—In several of our cleaner grounds the burr
has come out strongly, but the bine is very foul,
and the weather must very speedily alter for the
better if we are to get any hops.
THE MALLINGS.—The hops look about as bad as
they possibly can do. The plant is quite black, and
looks as though it had been burnt. Nothing can
save us. _

WATERINGBURY AND NETTLESTEAD.—OUT hops
do not appear to improve in the slightest degree.
What burr there is remains a fixture, and is not
likely to turn into hop. A very small crop, if any,
this year.
LENHA3I.—In the better grounds we may possibly
grow a few hops, but to do so we must have a decided
change in the weather. In the lower grounds
nothing can be done.
YALDING AND HUNTON.—We still go on very
badly. In some grounds a slight improvement
may be seen, and we may have a few hops ; but it is
too late now for anything like a crop.
SUNDRIDGE, Aug. 7.—The continued wet weather
is likely to have a prejudicial effect upon the hops,
having every appearance of another 1860, when the
hops came down at about half what they were called.
Should such prove the case, those that are fortunate
enough to escape the blight and grow good hops may
naturally expect very high prices. It appears from
reliable information the foreign crop will be
small, as blight is steadily spreading, and importa-
tions to any extent cannot be expected. The home
growth, in the opinion of many, will be as small as
any ever known. The stock in hand also is unpre-
cedentedly small.
BRIGHTLING, Aug. B.—The plantations are so
very uneven that it is difficult to say anything that
is applicable to any large portion of them. The
vermin has increased in some gardens, whilst others
diminished; still, we keep thinking we are a little
favoured in this district, and hope to grow a few.
WESTERHAM AND THE VALE QF HOLMESDALE,
Aug. B.—Unless there is a speedy change in the
weather, we shall not grow any hops in this dis-
trict. The London market is much excited on ac-
count of the unfavourable prospects and short
stocks ; and there is an active demand for 1866'5,
at an advance of fully £4 per cwt. from the lowest
point. For old olds (1855's and 1856'5), a shilling
a pound is offered and declined.
EDENBRIDGE AND DISTRICT, Aug. 8 —Spine of
our planations are improving, and some are gone
into total blight since our last.
HAWKIIURST, Aug. B.—Accounts are still very con-
flicting ; some gardens are improved, others the
contrary. Under any circumstances the crop must
be a light one.
WARBLETON, Aug. B.—The hop 3 here are pro-
gressing favourabl) , and are nearly clem ; we now
want warm weather to bring them to perfection.
PEASM Ails'', Aug. B.—The hops are making their
last effort by fresh branches, some of which are clear
of vermin, but the greater part are full of lice.

FEMALE LOVE OF FINERY.

The Countess of Waldegrave was present last
week at a school examination at Wigton, and deli-
vered a short address, in the course of which she
said :—" I wish to speak to the females present, es-
pecially mothers. There is a subject which I believe
a great many will join with me in thinking impor-
tant in these times in which we live, and that is the
subject of female dress in all ranks of life, but
especially among those who attend our schools. I
regret to say that there is a great deal of what may
ba called useless finery among the young girls of
the present day, and I should think that probably
mothers are a little to blame in that particular. I
have observed this passion to be on the increase all
my life and as God's mercy has spared me through
eighty years, I think I may speak from experience
on the subject. I must say I thiuk it a great mis-
take on the part of mothers to dress their children
to the utmost extent of their means, instead of in-
ducing them to lay by their pence for what is called
a rainy day, or to collect clothing for winter ; in
place of which they allow their girls to spend all
their little money, and what they can add of their
own as well, on what I should call unnecessary and
useless finery. lam very glad to find that you
educate the children well here, and I am delighted
to see that needlework is made a very particular
point of examination in many of the schools ; be-
cause, in seeking for female servants we all want those
who can be useful in those particulars, as well as in
knitting and darning, for which I have had pleasure
in giving prizes in my own country on various occa-
sions. Now, while children are taught to spend all
the money that they can get on little bits of finery,
the first thing a mistress has to teach her young
servant is to dress neatly, and properly, and respect-
ably, and thus correct the great mistake of mothers
who help their children forward in unnecessary out-
side clothing, while very often, I regret to say, the
inside is exceedingly deficient. (Laughter and ap-
plause.) I therefore hope that mothers who have
such opportunities of having their daughters edu-
cated—and you have many compared to those en-
joyed in my part of the country—will earnestly
strive to give them that degree of propriety and
neatness in their dress which is always respectable,
useful, and efficient. 1 trust you will excuse me,
coming such a distance as I do, for making mention
of what many, if they would speak out, really feel
in their hearts. (Applause.) lam often told by
mothers, ' Well, ix a'am, I can't help it. My girl
will go to the second-hand shop and get these bits
of things, where they are cheap. And it is only a
penny flower, and a flower does not wear out so
4QQ a§ a ribbon.' (Laughter•) WA but that is