308 Chemical examination of the Hop. 
On making enquiry of a number of brewers in this city, 
it was ascertained that there was about one in three whe 
considered this powder useful, in common with other parts of 
the plant. {t was known to all that hops were used prinei- 
pally for their antiseptic’ powers, or to preserve the beer 
from acetous fermentation ; but neither practical brewers, 
nor scientific writers on brewing, appear to have noticed this 
substance particularly. By some of the former, it 1s re- 
garded as useless. When at one brewery I asked for some 
of the yellow powder that was found at the bottom of the 
hop bags; I was told that I could find but little there, as 
but a few days ago they had swept half a bushel of it from 
the store. 
I was now resolved to ascertain, if possible, the propor- 
tion of lupulin in the merchantable hop, and also whether it 
could be completely and readily separated from the leaves. 
Accordingly, six pounds of pressed hops were taken from the 
centre of a bag, containing some hundred pounds, and ex- 
posed to heat till perfectly dry. They were then put intoa 
light bag and by threshing, rubbing and _ sifting, fourteen 
ounces of the pure powder was separated ina short time and 
with very little labour. 
Though the quantity thus obtained was surprisingly great, 
there was obviously a considerable proportion remaining 
which could not easily be separated from the chaff. If 
therefore the hops were gathered when the lupulin existed 
in the greatest abundance, and, instead of being pressed and 
packed, were exposed to the sun till perfectly dry, there is 
little doubt but six pounds would yield a pound of the pow- 
der in question.* 
The foregoing experiments were not completed till late 
in the spring, when the best season for brewing was passed, 
but with the advice, and by the direction of Robert Barnes, 
Esq. (an experienced and scientific brewer, zealous for the 
improvement of his art) two barrels of beer were made in 
which nine ounces of the lupulin were substituted for five 
pounds (the ordinary quantity) of hops. The: result con- 
firmed the most sanguine expectation. Though the quanti- 
* Nothing conjectural would here bave been introduced, but with a view 
to show, as accurately as possible, the proportion of lupulin, that the requi- 
site quantity may be known in case it should be substituted for the leaves of 
hops in brewing. 
