REPORT OF THE STATISTICIAN. 277 
County alone, in that year, at 4,000,000 pounds, and estimates the crop 
of the whole State at 7,000,000 pounds. Two years afterwards, in 1869, 
the census-takers found only 1,250,269 pounds as the product of Sauk 
County, and 4,630,155 pounds for the whole State. 
Hop-raising has also become an important interest in some other 
States. California, according to the census, in 1869 raised but 625,064 
pounds. In 1876 the State surveyor-general reports an area of 1,573 
acres, and a crop of 2,664,648 pounds. Michigan, in 1869, raised 828,269 
pounds; the New England States nearly a million pounds. In nearly 
all the hop-producing sections of the Union the product and acreage 
have increased to a greater or less degree since 1869. Our total acreage 
approximates that of England, which is variously stated from 65,000 
to 70,000. On the continent of Europe the total acreage is estimated 
at 76,000. 
Our hop crop reached its maximum in 1877, in which year, according 
to commercial estimates, our surplus product amounted to 110,000 
bales. Of this amount we sent to Europe 95,000 bales, leaving at the 
end of the year about 15,000 bales in the hands of producers and deal- 
ers. The disastrous season of 1878, however, will create a demand for 
this overplus. 
The department instituted an inquiry in regard to the crop of 1878 
by sending circulars to correspondents in the leading hop-producing 
counties of the Union. The result showed a reduced acreage for 1878, 
with the assured prospect of a still heavier reduction for 1879. The fol- 
lowing extracts of correspondence will show the local aspects of this 
industry : 
New YorK.—Otsego: New yards about equal to the old yards plowed up; average 
product, 500 pounds per acre; average price per pound, 10} cents, Extension of 
yards held in check by fall of prices during two years past; acreage will be reduced 
this year. Lewis: Production decreasing on account of low prices; old yards running 
out and few new ones coming on. Acreage, 500, of which 50 were planted in 1878; 
average yield per acre, 800 pounds; average price, Icents. Albany: Not much lifein 
the business; not a paying crop for several years. Acreage, 200; average yield, 400 
pounds; average price, 10 cents. Livingston: On the decline; no new yards set out; 
acreage cultivated, 171; average yield, 900 pounds; average price, 7 cents. Genesee: 
No new yards; acreage, 150; average yield, 600 pounds; average price, 8 cents. The 
ield was light for the last two years, and the prices low ; hence production is declin- 
ing. We formerly had a home market, but not now; hops are sent East and sold on 
commission. Saint Lawrence: Acreage, 350; average yield, 800 pounds, some yards 
as high as 1,200 pounds per acre; average price, 7 to 8 cents; acreage about at a 
stand-still. Schoharie: On the decrease; acreage, 3,000; average yield, 800 pounds; 
average price, 8 cents. Prices during the last two years have not paid the cost of 
production. Acreage has been increasing till within the last two years. 
Madison; Acreage probably decreased; average product from 700 to 800 pounds, in 
some yards 1,500 or 2,000; average price, 8 to 10 cents. The average cost of raising 
hops is from 12 to 14 cents per pound, according to the value of the land, and the cost 
of gathering and marketing from 8 to 10 cents per pound. Wayne; Production de- 
creasing and but few yards left in the county. Oswego: Acreage 700, and decreasing ; 
average product, 300 pounds; average price, 10} cents. Crop uncertain and prices 
low, though at present showing some improvement. Choice brands bring from 12 to 
15 cents for shipping. 
Wisconsin.—Fond du Lac: Production decreasing; total product of 1878, 12,453 
pounds; average price 10 cents. Calumet: No hops raised; about six years ago nearly 
every one went out of the business; hops do not pay as well as other crops or even as 
pasturage. Dane: Production declining through low prices; acreage 189; average 
yield 720 pounds per acre; average price not over7or 8 cents per pound. Sauk: 
The crop an entire failure. I do not know a single yard that averaged a dozen 
pounds per acre, except one man in the western part who averaged 100 pounds. The 
failure of the crop was caused by the intense heat of July following a wet spell, and 
by the ravages of lice; average price, 25 cents. Columbia; Acreage, 250; about one- 
fourth what it was five years ago; average yield, 200 pounds, or only half the usual 
average; average price 6 to 8 cents against 50 cents formerly; damaged by lice; pro- 
duction greatly declining. Dodge: Acreage, 75, a decline of 40 per cent. from 1877; 
