35 



as a nuisance, in common with Newcastle coals : one as spoiling the taste of the drinli, and the other 

 offending by a disagreeable smell.* 



In 1845, the excise duty on hops raised in England was £ 285,526 3s. 7d., or about one and 

 a half million of dollars : in the same year 48,058 acres were cultivated in the United Kingdom. 



Hop culture in our own comitry is principally confined to Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont 

 Massachusetts and New York. Some of inferior quality are raised in Ohio and Indiana. The 

 climate of New York is peculiarly favorable to then perfection, and the hops of this state are 

 acknowledged by brewers of all countries to be very superior, and they command twenty per cent, 

 more in the market than any other hops. The coimty of Otsego is celebrated for the excellence of 

 its hops, and they are probably the best that are grown. 



The following table Avill exhibit the exports of this plant from the city of New York, for 

 several years past: 



In the year 1837 there were exported from this city 3,333 bales. 



1838 

 1839 

 1840 

 1841 

 1842 

 1843 

 1844 

 1845 



3,250 

 1,423 

 426 

 444 

 5,296 

 2,842 

 3,098 

 3,052 



The average weight of a bale is about 200 pounds. 

 These were mostly shipped on foreign accoimt to Germany and France, but very few go to England 

 and those only in bond. The duty now imposed on American hops, in England, is £4 10s. or $21 60 

 per 112 pounds, and five per cent, added for inward charges — or, about twenty cents per pound. 



* They began to be appreciated very early, however, as we learn from the praises bestowed by the poet : 



" The hop for his profit I thus do exalt, 

 It strengtheneth drink and it breweth malt, 

 And being well brewed, well kept it will last, 

 And drawing abide, if you draw not too fast. 



Trusse's 539 Points of Good Husbandry, 1557. 



