112 HOP CULTURE IN AUSTRALASIA. 



As the hops mnst not be allowed to lie more than a few hours 

 after being gathered until they are placed on the kiln, exact 

 arrangements require to be made to keep the different opera- 

 tions of picking, drying, and pressing all going on at the 

 same rate. This is admirably managed by Mr. Wright's two 

 sons, who conduct the work in an energetic and business-like 

 manner ; and, although refined and educated gentlemen, they 

 not only superintend the work, but do not hesitate to put 

 their hands to even the heaviest portions one looking after 

 the picking, and the other attending to the drying, packing, 

 &c., one or other being on the spot night and day throughout 

 the season. Stable and other kinds of manure are used for 

 the ground, but Mr. White gives the preference to super- 

 phosphate of lime. 



It would be difficult to over-estimate the value of this 

 industry to the colony. As a means of employing labour 

 alone it is invaluable. Hop growing is now one, indeed, is 

 the most promising of Tasmanian industries, and regarded 

 as a most remunerative employment. 



At the Lackland Cot estate, belonging to Mr. Allwright, 

 the kiln for the drying of hops is a room about 20 feet square, 

 having an air chimney in the centre of the roof; the floor is 

 constructed on the batten principle, rafters of hard wood 

 being placed parallel with each other, with an inch space left 

 between them. This floor is covered with a coarse hair-cloth, 

 which lets the heat through, and upon this the hops are 

 dried. In the room below the kiln is a large square furnace, 

 with four fires, one in each face, and above this is what is 

 called the fire-room or conductor ; a closely bricked partition 

 rising from the furnace on either side, to the edge of the 



