the hops have a faint, peculiar, somewhat 

 yeasty odor, which increases with age due 

 to the development of valerianic acid. 

 For medicinal purpose^s only fresh hops 

 should be used. 



The principal use of hops is in the 

 manufacture of beer, to which it imparts 

 the peculiarly bitter taste, and its repute 

 as a tonic. For this purpose enormous 

 quantities are consumed in Germany and 

 England. The exhausted hops from the 

 breweries form an excellent fertiHzer for 

 light soils. The leaves have been used 

 as fodder for cows. Leaves, stems and 

 roots possess astringent properties and 

 have been used in tanning. In Sweden 

 the fibre of the stems is used in manufac- 

 turing a very durable white cloth, not 

 unlike the cloth made from hemp and 

 flax. 



Hops is used medicinally. It at first 

 causes a very slight excitation of brain 

 and heart, followed by a rather pro- 

 nounced disposition to sleep. Pillows 

 stuffed with hops form a very popular 

 domestic remedy for wakefulness. Hop 

 bags dipped in hot water form a very 

 soothing external application in painful 

 inflamimatory conditions, especially o'f the 



abdominal organs. It has undoubted 

 value as a bitter tonic in dyspepsia and in 

 undue cerebral excitation. Tincture of 

 lupulin and red pepper (capsicum) enjoys 

 the reputation of being a very efHcient 

 substitute for alcoholic stimulants when 

 their use is to be discontinued. Earlier 

 physicians recommended hops very high- 

 ly in kidney and liver complaints, as a 

 ''blood purifier" and to cure eruptive skin 

 troubles. It is recommended in nervous 

 troubles and in delirium tremens. The 

 roots were formerly employed as a sub- 

 stitute for sarsaparilla. 



Hops contains an etherial oil, resin and 

 tannic acid. The oil and the resin are 

 important constituents in the manufac- 

 ture of beer. The young shoots contain 

 asparagin, etherial oil, resin and sugar. 



Description of Plate. — A, staminate 

 (male) inflorescence ; B, pistillate (female) 

 inflorescence; C, fruiting branch; i, 

 stamiinate flower ; 2, perigone ; 3, stamen ; 

 4, open anther; 5, pollen; 6, pistillate cat- 

 kin ; 7, 8, 9, pistillate flowers ; 10, scales ; 

 II, 12, 13 scales and flowers; 14, 15, 

 fruit; 16, 17, 19, seed; 20, resin gland (lu- 

 pulin). Albert Schneider. 



AWAKENING. 



Never yet was a springtime, 



Late though lingered the snow, 

 That the sap stirred not at the whisper 



Of the south wind sweet and low; 

 Never yet was a springtime 



When the buds forgot to blow. 



— Maro-aret E. Sanester. 



236 



