The record-union., 1899-09-09
Hop Crops
in England.

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The following reports on the growth
OF hops in the English plantations for
the week ending Wednesday, August
70, 1899, are furnished by the "Kentish
Observer of Canterbury, Kent, and
presented with the compliments of NJ.
II. burst of AZ Effra road, Brixton, S.
W.; London, resident agent in England
for the burst Bear River hops of Yuba
County, California. These reports are
furnished gratuitously, and in the hope
that they will be of service in keeping
the growers advised of the crop pros
poets abroad:
ashford District)
The dry weather is keeping the hops
from developing so we'll as it was
hoped they would, and fears are eX-
pressed that the later varieties may
| suffer considerably unless we soon get
rain. The GOODNESS of the nights, too,
is against them to some extent. Some
gardens in this locality look like grow
ing fully twenty-one cwt. to the acre
II conditions remain favorable, but
mold is spreading a little more rapidly
now than it has done before and may
cause considerable trouble before the
picking commences. Close observers
notice, too, that the lower branches of
the hops are not so fruitful as they
are often seen and prophecy some
amount of disappointment when the
crop comes down from it's failure to
reach present estimates. 1t is generally
felt, however, that the crop will be
6 ~,
(Brenchley, Paddock Wood and Capel)
The picking of the "Earlies" will
commence at the end Of the present
week, the continued drought and heat
having ripened them off very rapidly.
There will be a heavy yield of all de-
scriptions in this district, and the quail
ity promises to be exceptionally good
At Brenchley and Capel there are mar
velous growths of the new hop '"Tol-
hurst" named after the originator, Mr.
Tolhurst, on whose farms the yield is
estimated at from thirty to thirty-five
cWt. per acre. This description of hop,
it is said, rarely grows less than thirty
cWt. per acre.
bridge and Neighborhood)
Hop-growers say they want rain, but
hops continue to improve. Bramlings
are now very pretty sight and Gold
ingS promise to be SO a week hence.
Canterbury Parfshes)
Rapid development has marked the
past week in all the Canterbury
grounds, the splendid weather having
brought out the hops in beautiful style.
Rain would doubtless be beneficial to
them, but it is not absolutely essential.
The prospect continues good for an ay-
erage crop of fine quality. There will
be several growths of a ton per acre,
and the average of the whole district
will probably be about eleven cwt per
acre.
(Chartham and Chilham)
Hops, both Bramlings and Goldings,
consider are coming out nicely. Pick
ing will commence in about a fort
night. The general opinion is that the
hops want rain.
(Chilham)
The hops are still going on satisfac-
torily. With one exception there is
mold in some gardens. One grower talks
Of beginning to pick on Thursday, but
it will not be general till the first week
in September.
Faversham District.)
This forcing weather is bringing the
hops out very fast, and picking will
have to be begun sooner than was
anticipated unless we get rain, which
no doubt would do a lot Of good.
Harbledown.)
The heavy fogs and scorching sun
have caused red mold to make its ap-
pearance. The Bramlings are chiefly
affected, which variety is most uneven,
some out in full hop, and others just
in the burr stage. Hop-picking, if all
goes well, will not commence until the
first week in September My outside
estimate Cup to the present. of the crop,
is that it will not greatly exceed last
years, certainly not one cwt. per acre
more.
Hunton.)
Rain is much wanted; without it the
crops will not grow out to their full
size. The soil is very dry and hard.
The Bramlings will be the best crop
here.
Qckham and Wickham)
The Bramlings are now out in full
hop and promise a good crop. The
continuance of favorable weather
likewise promise a good crop of sound
hops. Although not suffering from the
drought a good soaking rain would do
no harm.
(Smarden.)
The drought is affecting some grounds
and will shorten the crop. On the cool
deep soils the prospect of heavy
growths is excellent, estimates ranging
from ton to thirty cwt. per acre. The
average Of the whole parish will be
about twelve cwt. per acre. Picking has
already commenced, but only in one or
two places.
Gittlebourne and Bekesbourne)
The plantations in these parishes
have probably never had a finer prom
ise. The bine is covered with hops,
which are bright and sound, and are
daily gaining condition. The intensely
hot weather of the last few days has
brought them on very rapidly, and it
(Sevington.)
Up to this date, August I'D, the hops
have come out well and held their
own, but the strong sun and strong
northeast winds begin to tell a tale,
and where the least affected with mold
they begin to go off The crop will
not be so large as many think, but the
quality must be very superior to any
grown of late years.
Pethan Valley.)
The hot dry weather is fast bringing
tha old Goldinps into hon the Rrar1-