The record-union., 1896-10-20
THE HOP CROP.
There Will Not be as Great a Surplus as
Expected.
Some Points Which Should Give En-
COuragement to Pacific Coast
Hop Growers.
THE HOP CROP.

has the following IN the kentlSh OO-
server:
AS bearing on the prospective demand
for the 1886 crop of hops, l send you
statistics of crop and supply on hand in
the United States as given in a late
number of the American AgricuH-
urist.' CThe statistics referred to show
net supplies as follows: 1898, $4,000
bales of $50 lbs; 1894, 223, 900; 1893,
1000; 1892, 10000; 1891, 1000;
1890, 143,000: the estimated consump-
tion at 1 10 per barrel being $4,000,
$4,000, 171,000, 17S,O0O, 164,OOO
and 157 600 respectively The 'Agri-
cuturist'' says: The average crop of
the coast for the two years '94-5 was
$50, 900 bales, and of State hops IL, 900,
a total of 30o, 900 bales. Deduct aver
age exports of these two growths-95,-
900 bales-and We get 100000 bales as
the average domestic supply for brewing
purposes. AT only l 10 Of hops to the
barrel of beer, domestic consumption of
these two crops has averaged $4,000
bales This would leave a surplus of
'94-5 hops now in the United States of
$1,000 bales. This takes no account of
old hops on hand September 1, 1884,
but the amount was notably small. Nor
ported hops now unused, but this is
small at best, only S92 bales being in
hand June 80, 1896, against S51 bales
year ago"
1t might also have been added that the
imports of hops into the United States
had practically no effect in diminishing
the consumption of domestic hops.
The foreign hops are used only in rare
cases, and where some particular brewer
has, as it We're, a fad for the hops.
The average import for the last three
years has been only about 5000 bales.
The estimate of / 10 of hops to each bar
rel of beer is certainly a low one. In
fact it is believed that more hops have
been used these last few years of cheap
prices than is denoted by ID of hops
per barrel.
AT 10 cents ODD per ID for hops the use
of one fb per barrel (3112 gallons) would
represent a cost of less than one-third of
a cent (one-siXth of a penny per one
gallon of beer.
Certainly the American brewers might
be pardoned if they used more than l fb
of hops per barrel while prices were SO
low.
Regarding this point the same article
says: Indeed, since May LIST, exports
have been so much less than during the
like period of last season as to indicate,
either that stocks in dealers hands were
much reduced or they have been holding
for higher prices
Speaking of exports it is said: ''It
would be rather surprising If our ex-
ports of 1896 hops reach the average of
the 1S91-92-93 crops-6O,0OO bales at
average annual export prices of 10 1-3
(o9s. cwt) to 261a Q22s. cwD cents per ID.
These statistics agree as well as could
be expected with those 1 gave in your
issue of September 24th, and they bear
out the position took in my article.
I stated that it was unlikely that the
United States would export 40, 900 bales
of the 1896 crop.
The American Agriculturist" says
not 10000 bales will be exported at
prices from SOS to 122s per cwt Gn New
York;.
If prices are going to be as now indi
Gated it may be depended upon that not
over 10000 bales will reach England.
According to this report the surplus
of 1894 and 1895 hops now on hand in
the States is some 81 900 bales. This is
a very important item. Certainly old
old" hops are not going to figure very
where they are.
1 have heard nothing to shake my be-
lief in the estimate I gave last week of
10000 bales for the total 1896 crop in
the United States.
Add to this - 900 bales 1894 and 1895
hops remaining, and we have III 900
bales Counting the old stocks as equiv
alent in brewing duty to current years
hops and there would still be a deficit Of
%. 600 bales to make up the years sup
ply in the States.
Should the American brewers and
merchants allow even 10000 bales of
1896 hops to be sent over to England,
the deficit would be increased thereby
to $4,000 bales, or nearly one-third of
the consumptive demand for the year
1861.
If only 90. 900 bales are to be exported
the deficit of $4,000 bales would still
remain, a very serious matter to Amer
lean consumers.
1t is well for the English grower to
bear these facts in mind when he is
being told, as an excuse for low prices,
that the stock Of hops on hand are suf-
ficient to run brewers for a whole year.
AS representing the largest hop grower
In America, perhaps in the world, and
whose business it is to keep as well in
formed as possible on such matters,
can answer for it that the stocks on
hand in America would be a most un-
satisfactory and unsavory mouthful if
they were all that could be had to di-
vide among brewers for use in the COM
ing season.
The scramble that is even now begin
l;cl
merchants and brewers, is Also in my
opinion, pretty good evidence that the
English consumer has no wish or in
tention to be limited to ''old stocks for
his 1861 brewing.
The very extraordinary weather of
the last week has put an altogether diff
ferent phase upon the question of sup
ply and demand in England.
The estimates before picking began
were from 400, 900 cwts. to 100000 cwts.
Ny letter was written on a basis of
100000 cwts.
The report was almost universal that
the quality was to be the best on rec
ord The late Goldings were to be Eek
ira choice"
To all these representations some
knowing old hop experts agreed, but
with the qualification ''the hops are not
in the pocket yeti"