The ovary develops into a small round nut (called by growers 

 the "hop seed") which, when ripe, is purplish in colour and 

 contains a single true seed. If fertilisation does not occur, which 

 is generally the case where male plants are not allowed in a garden, 

 the nut remains small and shrivelled. 



The regularity and size of the bracts of the hop are dependent 

 largely upon the fertilisation of the seed. Where the seed is 

 unfertilised the bract associated with it does not grow out or 

 develop so well as where the pollen does its work. Irregular 

 lop-sided " hops " frequently result from want of a proper number 

 of male plants in the garden. The brewer, however, generally 

 objects to many well-developed seeds in hop samples. 



ENGLISH VARIETIES OF HOPS. 



The hop plant is one which shows great variability of 

 character. Seedlings are very rarely similar to the parents from 

 which they are derived. They not only vary in their outward 

 botanical features, such as shape and size of hop and colour of 

 bine, but also in their physiological characters, some being early, 

 others late, while certain seedlings are hardy, and others more 

 delicate and liable to suffer from frost, disease and adverse soil 

 conditions. 



To obtain new sorts, the raising of seedlings is the most satis- 

 factory method, although the process needs much patience and is 

 slow in its results. Of course, when once a good seedling is 

 obtained, it is easily propagated and kept pure by cuttings and sets 

 in the ordinary manner. 



Although in this country a considerable number of varieties 

 are known and cultivated, some six or seven varieties only are 

 grown on an extensive scale, and these are sufficient to meet the 

 requirements of the brewer and grower alike if properly managed. 



It is not necessary here to describe the characters of all the 

 kinds, some of the leading varieties, however, must be briefly 

 referred to. 



