118 HOP CULTUEE IN AUSTRALASIA. 



in Gippsland, 1500 Ibs. have been obtained from an acre. 

 The plant might be readily naturalized on river banks and in 

 forest valleys.* 



We find, then, that in this colony the hop grows in the 

 greatest perfection. Of it a resident of North Gippsland 

 says, in the official colonial ' Report on Novel Industries ' : 

 " In reference to hops, which I cultivate, I sustained con- 

 siderable loss last season from not having the necessary skill 

 in drying and sowing, and having no books on the subject 

 to which I could refer. With reference to my experience of 

 their culture, I regard them as an unqualified success, pro- 

 nounced by persons able to judge as being equal in one year 

 to a crop planted three years in England; and as a proof 

 of their extraordinary growth, I may mention that they 

 require poles several feet higher here. The varieties I culti- 

 vate are the Grape and the Golding. This year I have 

 extended my plantation, and purpose extending it as my 

 means permit." The opinions of many cultivators of this 

 plant in Gippsland were furnished to the Royal Commission, 

 and all agreed in saying that the hop is most easily reared, 

 subject to no diseases as yet, and bears abundantly at an 

 early date. But all the growers have suffered more or less 

 from the want of knowledge in drying the hops and pre- 

 paring them for market. 



In Victoria the production of hops was as follows : 



* Baron Mueller, on " Select Plants readily eligible for Victorian Indus- 

 trial Culture." 



