PREFACE. 



Some time ago the author was asked by Mr. Hugo 

 H. Hitschmann of the Wiener Landwirthschaftliche 

 Zeitung to write a book on hops ; but before that 

 request was complied with a search was made through 

 existing literature in order to ascertain whether it was 

 desirable, oppoi'tune and thankworthy to sift and 

 collect the available material into a uniform whole. 



As a matter of fact it was found that, subsequent 

 to the appearance of the last comprehensive work on 

 the subject (1888), so many views on the botany, 

 cultivation and chemistry of the hop had undergone 

 modification, that numerous remarkable advances had 

 to be chronicled, especially in connection with the 

 drying and preservation of hops and with the hop 

 trade. 



These preliminary labours having proved fruitful 

 the author felt disposed to accede to the above- 

 mentioned request ; but the labour of wading through 

 the mass of materials and frequently conflicting views 

 without losing the guiding thread was by no means 

 light. However, thanks to the aid afforded by 

 scientists and practical men, the task, begun more 



