HISTORY OF THE HOP. 9 



■did not assume any particular importance until 1865, when 

 a large area was planted on the Bellye estate. 



The introduction of hop-growing into the United States 

 marks a turning-point in the history of this industry, the 

 ■consequences being adverse to the interests of European 

 growers on account of the quantity now sent over, though 

 America has not yet succeeded in producing hops equal in 

 •quality to the good sorts of European growth. 



The first shipments of American hops to Europe, being 

 of inferior quality, found but few buyers, and finally had to 

 ' be disposed of at low rates. This circumstance was seized 

 ■on by certain dealers, and continual harping on "American 

 competition" brought about a serious fall in the price of 

 JEuropean hops. True, at present the situation has re- 

 <;overed to some extent, but we are still haunted by the 

 bogie of American competition. 



Within the past few decades Australia has begun to 

 ■come to the front as a producer of hops, but dangerous 

 ■competition from this source need hardly be feared ; and 

 in Africa and Asia hop cultivation has barely issued from 

 the experimental stage. 



Notwithstanding the greater intelligence nowadays be- 

 stowed on the cultivation of the hop, the position of the 

 grower is far from being a bed of roses. The causes of 

 this condition are manifold, and will be dealt with latter 

 on as occasion arises. 



For information on the historical side of the subject the 

 author is indebted to the following works : — 



Andreas Gloretz von Mahren, Chronik. (Quirinus Heyl, 

 Eegensburg, 1701.) 



Franz Olbricht, Bohmens Hopfenbau und Handel. (Prague, 

 1835.) 



Jos. J. Flatau, Ueber Hopfenbau. (Berlin, 1861.) 



F. Eomer, Ueber den Hopfenbau. (Aarau, 1865.) 



