386 THE HOP CKOP. 



The subsequent expenditure each year in the cultiva- 

 tion of an acre containing 1200 hills, including interest 

 upon outlay in the formation of the ground, manures, 

 repairs, &c., and cultivation, is given at 28, Is. 6d. ; l 011 

 high- rented hop grounds, it will of course be more, accord- 

 ing to the rent paid. When the larger and better sorts of 

 poles are employed, the interest on the capital invested 

 will be increased; and in small plantations, where hand 

 labour is alone engaged in the cultivation, the annual 

 expenditure will be greater. The figures given are based 

 upon the lowest calculations that can be made consistent 

 with good management; where this is neglected for the 

 sake of a small saving in expenses, the grower is not likely 

 to be so well remunerated. 



A detailed estimate is given of the expenses incurred 

 in picking, and every subsequent part of the preparation 

 of hops for the market, assuming 10 cwts. to be a fair 

 average produce per acre, and that 1300 bushels of green 

 hops will yield 1 ton when dried, l|<i per bushel being 

 the price allowed for picking. This, including the 

 duty of 17, 12s. 9^d., amounts in the whole to no 

 less than 38, 18s. 9d., or in round numbers to 40 

 per ton, so that each ton of hops sent into the market 

 (requiring for its production 2 acres of cultivated soil) 

 represents a minimum expenditure by the grower of 

 96, 3s., or 48, Is. 6d per acre, the balance of the selling 

 price per ton over this amount constituting the profit 

 returns of the cultivation. These are subject to very great 

 variations, not only as regards season, but also as regards 

 different localities or districts. In unfavourable seasons, 

 when blight has prevailed, the produce on some grounds 

 has not paid the expenses of picking, while on others again , 

 where the plant has not been so much affected, the increase 



1 For details of this and the preceding estimates, see Roy. Agri. $oc. Journal, 

 vol. ix. p. 581. 



