487 



weight per acre, but the crop was materially damaged by the gales of 

 September, and many growths were imperfectly cured. Berks and 

 Hants cultivated 3,300 acres, and the yield was 14 to 18 hundred 

 weight per acre. Hertfordshire 6,000 and Worcestershire 3,800 acres ; 

 product from 15 to 18 hundred weight per acre. Surrey produces a 

 choice quality of hops, celebrated for their bright color and superior 

 aroma, and properties essential for brewing pale and bitter ale. In 

 Farnham 1,100 acres are cultivated, and the average product this sea- 

 son was 14 to IG hundred weight per acre. The other counties grow 

 about 4,900 acres. The free importation of foreign hops into England 

 and the large continental growths this season have decreased the value 

 of domestic hops. 



ITEMS FEOM VARIOUS SOURCES. 



Profitable Culture. — In March 1869, Mr. C. A. Hutchinson, of 

 Jacksonville, Florida, planted a plot, 50 feet square, with orange seed. 

 In February next the plants were 12 to 18 inches high, when |200 

 worth were sold at the rate of $20 per hundred. The remainder were 

 transplanted, and are now 2^ to 3 feet high, and occupy a space of 50 

 by 100 feet, and number about 8,000 plants. They are worth an aver- 

 age of $30 per hundred in the market, making the product of the lot, 

 within two years, $2,600. The expense of seed and cultivation is esti- 

 mated at about $60.' 



Banana Culture. — The cultivation of the banana is engaging con- 

 siderable attention in the neighborhood of Palatka, Florida, and the 

 river counties. Three years ago a gentlemen in Orange County set 

 out nine plants, and is now reaping the fruits of a three-acre tield, and 

 realizes $125 per month from the fruit and the young plants that are 

 continually suckering around the roots of the old plants. The banana 

 fruits in all seasons, the year round, and is fertilized by the shedding of 

 its huge leaves. 



Cranberries. — It is stated that quite an impetus has been given to 

 the sale of marsh lands in Washington Territory recently, by the adveiit 

 of a New Jersey cranberry grower in quest of these valuable lands. 

 The Oregon Statesuian says there is a large marsh near Gray's Harbor, 

 in that State, which is already covered with cranberry bushes growing 

 wild, and yielding considerable fruit, which is picked and sold by the 

 Indians. This marsh has been purchased of the Government by several 

 gentlemen of Salem, New Jersey. 



California Wines.— It is estimated that 700,000 to 800,000 gallons 

 of red and white wine have been made in Anaheim, Los Angeles Coun- 

 ty, California, this season, and of a better quality than the product of 

 any preceding year. The amount is 250,000 gallons in excess of the 

 yield of any previous season. It is claimed that, owing to the fine 

 weather and the extra condition of the grapes, this wine is already so 

 thoroughly fermented that it will be in a marketable condition in sixty 

 days. Preparations are being made for the immediate setting out of 

 300 to 400 additional acres of vines. From 300 to 400 boxes of Malaga 

 grape raisins have been made this year, as an experiment, and are said 

 to be of unusual size and tlavor, and superior to any in the market. 

 Don Mateo Keller, one of the largest wine-makers of Los Angeles, has 

 expressed 100,000 gallons of the pure juice this season. 



The San Francisco Commercial Herald states that the total shipments 

 3 



