CHAPTER XVI 



EXPENSES AND PROFITS OF HOP CULTURE 



HE cost of growing hops va- 

 ries widely, even between 

 neighboring plantations, by 

 reason of differences of 

 methods and yields, and still 

 more widely between differ- 

 ent countries. Profits fluc- 

 tuate even more seriously, 

 depending upon both yield 

 and prices. The yield of 

 cured hops per acre ordi- 

 narily varies within the following limits as a fair aver- 

 age for all growers, but in extraordinary seasons may 

 exceed them either way, while the best growers will 

 often exceed the highest figure quoted: 



YIELD OF CURED HOPS PER ACRE AND COST. 



Pounds per acre. 



GERMANY Owing to the peculiar methods in Germany, 

 previously noted, it is quite useless to attempt any statement 

 of receipts and expenses of the peasant hop grower. 



FOR ENGLAND, however, Whitehead, in 1893, revised all 

 previous estimates, and Mr. E. H. Elvy, editor of the Kentish 

 Observer, the leading hop journal in England, has carefully 

 corrected the returns up to 1899 for this work, as follows: 



The land on which hops are grown in Kent is worth 

 about $200 an acre, and interest is reckoned at 5 per cent. 

 To start a new plantation will cost from $100 to $125 per 

 acre, including preparation of the soil, fertilizing, sets and 

 planting, cultivating, rent, taxes, etc. Plants cost $1 to $2.50 



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