The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-11 00:00:00

The Kentish Hop Gardens.

(From the Maidstone and Kentish Journal.)

MAIDSTONE AND ADJOINING PARISHES, Sept. 10.
—Since our last the hops have been blown about
very much in places. A few more pockets have been
sent to market. The colour is pretty good, but
weight light. Picking will be general in a few days.
BIDDENDEN.—Our hops have made good progress
during the past fortnight. The high winds have
somewhat knocked them about, but hopes are en-
tertained of producing a good sample. The crop
will not be heavy. Picking has commenced and will
become general during the week.
BRENCHLEY.—Picking has commenced here, but
we think it is rather too soon, although some sorts
yield very well.
CRANBROOK.—The hops have grown out during
the past week, and some of them, in the early sorts,
are unusually large. The weather, however, has
not been of a forcing nature, and the picking, in
general, will be delayed for a few days longer. We
see no reason at present to alter our opinion as to
an average yield, provided favourable weather rules
throughout the gathering season. Several planta-
tions of " Brenchley's" have been. picked, and
what have been submitted to the balances have not
been found wanting. The only danger the hops
are now subjectel to is the mould, several patches
of which we have observed within these last few
days. At present the flowers are bright and silvery
in colour, and they indicate superior quality. Since
writing the above we have had a rough boisterous
wind, which has battered and bruised the bops about
in situations where they are much, exposed, but we
have seen but few branches blown off, although
the polls are scattered in all directions. The old
growers are opinion that the backward hops cannot
now grow to any size, and that it is too late for
them to obtain much quality. If fine weather rules
only for the next fourteen days things will be won-
derfully improved, and they will be induced to alter
their notes, no doubt, with gratification.
FRITI'ENDEN.—The weather during the week has
been very unfavourable to the plantations. The
high winds have done much damage to the most
exposed gardens. Picking has commenced in a few
instances of the earlier sorts. The general complaint
is that they come down fast and weigh light. Pick-
ing will be general about the middle of the week.

HORTON KIRBY.—We have not made much pro-
gress this last fortnight. The late winds have made
fearful havoc in some grounds. The crop will be
generally a light one. Picking commences on the
10th.

DIALLING, WEST.—The late winds have clone
much harm. Picking commences in several places
on Monday, and will be general during the week.
OTFORD.—Many of the grounds in this district
have suffered from the late heavy rains and high
wind. Nevertheless, we shall begin picking imme-
diately.
PEASMARSIL Picking will commence here in
earnest next week, but we have sustained injury
from the late very unfavourable weather.
PEMBURY.—Some of the growers have commenced
picking here, but little progress is made, owing to
the high winds and rain which have prevailed.
SA.NDHURST.—Up till within the last few days
we had hoped to secure a good crop of hops, but the
plant has changed for the worse, owing to the heavy
rains and high winds, and it is now too late for any
improvement.

SPELDHURST.—Contrary to general expectation
we have not commenced picking yet, as the plant
comes on but slowly.
WARBLETON.—Nothing can be said as to the
quantity we shall grow here; but picking will com-
mence next week.

YALDING.—The hops will not bear so favourable
a report as last week. 'The cold nights of the 2d
and 3d shut up the backward hops, and hindered the
full development of the forward. Since then high
winds have battered them and lessened the crop.
We may still grow an average crop in this neigh-
bourhood.
DEPARTURE OF HOP-PICKERS.—Yesterday one of
the most numerous companies of hop-pickers that
has left the metropolis for many years proceeded by
the South-Eastern, London and Brighton, and Lon-
don, Chatham, and Dover Railways to the hop
grounds of Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, and in addi-
tion large numbers proceeded by steam boats to
Gravesend. The continuous wet weather compels
the growers to have the crops gathered with the
least possible delay. It is estiniated that more than
1,200 proceeded by train from London-bridge
terminus yesterday morning.

THE OXFORD.—The ever active managing direc-
tor of the Oxford has provided a great treat for
patrons by the engagement of the Delapierre family. The
party consists of a brother and two sisters, whose musical
performances are, we might almOst say, of an extraor-
dinary nature. The two young ladies, who appear to be
of the respective ages of 12 and 14, perform the composi-
tions of the most eminent masters on the violin ; their
brother occasionally taking part in the performance on the
viol incello. The celebrated" Carnival de Venice" is executed
in brilliant style by the young artists—a keen competition
seeming to exist between all parties to secure for their solo
the preponderance of applause. The younger of the two
sisters oftens performs on the xilophone, a fashionable
name for the old pine stick, or rock harmonicon, and cer-
tainly the little lady deserves the highest praise for the
rapidity and precision of her execution. Tho operatic
selection front " Trovatore" is capitally given by the
numerous corps of vocalists engaged at the establishment ;
and the comic element, a very important one at music-
halls, embraces the talent of Air. 11. Sydney, whose songs
are replete with gekuine wit and humour. Altogether the
bill of fare at the Oxford is such that large and delighted
audiences gannet fail to je attracted thefo every evening.