316 FOREST CULTURE AND 
pan. The pulpy fruit-stalks of this tree are edible. 
H. inequalis, D. C., and H. acerba, Lindl., are mere 
varieties of this species. 
Humulus lupulus, L.*—The Hop-plant. Temper- 
ate zone of Europe, Asia, and North America. This 
twining, perennial, unisexual plant has proved to 
yield enormously on river -banks, in rich soil, or on 
fertile slopes, where irrigation could be effected, par- 
ticularly so within our territory, along the river-val- 
leys of Gipps Land, and in other similar localities. A 
pervious, especially alluvial soil, fertile through ma- 
nure or otherwise, appliances for irrigation, natural or 
artificial, and also shelter against storms, are some of 
the conditions for success in hop-growth, and under 
such conditions the rearing of hops will prove thus 
far profitable in countries and localities of very differ- 
ent mean temperature. A dry Summer season is fa- 
vorable to the ripening and gathering of hops. On 
the Mitchell River, in Gipps Land, 1,500 pounds 
have been obtained from an acre. In Tasmania large 
crops have been realized for very many years. The 
plant might be readily naturalized on river-banks and 
in forest valleys. The scaly fruit-cones form the com- 
mercial hops, whose value largely depends on the mi- 
nute glandular granules of Lupuline. Hops impart 
their flavor to beer, and, principally by their tannic 
acid, prevent acetous fermentation and precipitate al- 
buminous substances from the malt. Hop-pillows are 
recommended to overcome want of sleep. Many of 
the substitutes of hops are objectionable or deleterious. 
The refuse hops of breweries possess double the value 
of stable manure. Active principles of hop-leaves and 
fruits’: A peculiar volatile and a bitter acid substance. 
