154 HOPS. 



finish towards the middle or end of May. Consequently a 

 distinction is drawn between "early" ahd "late" spring 

 cutting. Which is the best time for the operation is an oft- 

 debated point in hop-growing circles, but opinions are so 

 divided that no final conclusion is ever attained. The 

 majority of growers and the results of comparative experi- 

 ments, however, favour early spring cutting, for the reason 

 that this ensures a heavier crop. This would be sufficient 

 to settle the matter altogether were a large yield the sole 

 desideratum, which is not the case under the existing market 

 conditions ; in fact to keep solely in view the production of a 

 maximum quantitative crop would be fatal to the interests of 

 the hop-grower of the present day. In the present state of 

 the industry such a procedure would reduce the profits to, 

 below zero. On the other hand, quality is a matter of con- 

 tinuously increasing importance, and one that depends to a 

 certain extent on the quantity, the two standing in inverse 

 proportion, i.e., the larger the number of cones produced by 

 a plant the poorer the quality, and vice versd, the best varieties 

 being characterised by a very moderate yield. Consequently, 

 under existing conditions, a more favourable result will 

 follow the preference for high quality rather than heavy 

 cropping. The value of improvement in this direction is so 

 much the greater on account of the wide field still open. 



In discussing, below, the season for the operation of 

 cutting, it will be shown to' what extent the quality and 

 quantity of the produce are influenced by the time of year 

 at which this work is carried on. 



(a) Autumn Cutting. 



This is rarely practised, notwithstanding that its many 

 drawbacks are accompanied by great advantages, and that, 

 under certain conditions, it is capable of furnishing really 

 surprising results. As a rule autumn cutting is restricted 



