STATISTICS OP PRODUCTION. 299 



Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and 

 Norway, and finally Switzerland. 



Germany. — The area now under hop cultivation is about 

 42,000 hectares (103,800 acres),i or 0-16 per cent, of the entire 

 arable land of the country, a decline of about 4,600 hectares 

 (11,370 acres) within the last ten years. The annual pro- 

 duction invariably exceeds the home consumption, so that 

 there are always considerable quantities of German hops 

 available for export. The total crop in 1897 amounted to 

 489,150 cwt., and the consumption to 461,060 cwt., thus leav- 

 ing a surplus of 28,090 cwt. for export. This figure is by no 

 means high, and in good years, with which 1897 cannot be 

 classed, may easily be increased fivefold. 



The kingdom of Bavaria occupies premier place as a hop- 

 growing centre, producing more than all the rest of the 

 German Empire together. The area under hops is about 

 0'76 per cent, of the total arable land. The best hops are 

 grovsTi in Middle Franconia, and especially around the town 

 of Spalt. Other Bavarian hop districts are : Kinding, 

 Aischgrund, Wolnzach, Hersbruck, Hallertau, etc. In these 

 districts free cropping varieties are mainly grown. 



The centres of hop-grovsdng in Wiirtemburg (where 0'73 

 per cent, of the total arable land is under this crop), are 

 Eottenburg, Stuttgart and Tettnang (on the Bodensee). 

 Free-cropping varieties are also favoured here. 



Baden, vwth 0"38 per cent, of its total arable land under 

 hops, produces a very good quality article, especially around 

 Schwetzingen. 



In Alsace-Lorraine the principal hop district is that of 

 Hagenau in the north-east of the province ; 0'65 per cent, of 

 the total arable land is in hop gardens. 



1 According to private advices received by the author from the Imperial 

 Statistical Office, Berlin, the actual area is only 39,525 hectares (95,195 acres). 



