82 HOPS. 



Opinions, both of practical men and theorists, are divided 

 fe to the selection of the varieties most suitable for a given 

 district. One thing, however, is definitely fixed : the pro- 

 perties of a variety are the product of the concurrent action 

 of the factors of growth (environment), and the cuttings are 

 the transmitters of these characteristics. 



Before deciding on any particular sort it is therefore 

 necessary to closely investigate the soil, climate, and all 

 other particulars influencing vegetation in the new habitat, 

 and to select only such varieties as are grown under identical 

 or similar conditions, this being the sole means of ensuring 

 the retention of pre-existing characteristics. , 



If there is any difference in the conditions of the old and 

 new homes of the plants, the new conditions will be either 

 more favourable or the reverse. In the former event the 

 variety will retain its characteristics, and possibly increase 

 their potency ; in the other case degeneration will ensue, 

 the more rapidly and decisively in proportion as the altera- 

 tion for the worse in the environment is the more marked. 



Since the conditions of soil, climate, etc., in two separate 

 districts are never perfectly equal, the question then naturally 

 arises which is the best course to pursue ; to transfer a variety 

 from a superior district to an inferior one, or vice versd. 



Most authors and prominent hop-growers are of opinion 

 that the selection of cuttings from a good district is always 

 successful, and that even when the conditions of the new 

 habitat are less favourable one may expect crops of good 

 quality for a few years at least. Should the quality then 

 degenerate there is no alternative but to obtain a fresh 

 supply of cuttings. 



This procedure vdll invariably be more satisfactory than 

 obtaining cuttings from an inferior district and waiting for 

 the plants to improve under the influence of the new and 

 more favourable environment, since, in this event, they will 



