THE HOP TEADB. 319 



these was founded in 1888 at Forrenbach (Hersbruck) by a 

 clergyman named Kelber, who also did valuable service in 

 establishing the Eaiffeisen Agricultural Loan Society.^ 



Like all new institutions, until they are well known and 

 have gained the confidence of the parties interested (in this 

 case the brewers), this association had to contend with 

 difficulties at the start. The organisation is somewhat as 

 follows : — • 



In each hop-growers' loan society is a special hop com- 

 mittee, the members of which are vowed to discharge their 

 duties. The chief task they have to perform is to see that 

 particular care is exercised in cultivating, picking and drying 

 the hops, the special inducement being that such as do not 

 come up to the mark in cleanness and drying are simply 

 rejected. Then the committee has to classify the hops, take 

 samples and deposit them with the chairman, who retains 

 one-half of each for reference, and sends the remainder out to 

 the different brewers' associations. When orders are received 

 the committee has to see that deliveries are up to sample, 

 the chairman attending to the necessary correspondence, and 

 to the marking and sealing of the packets. The conditions 

 of sale are : Cash on delivery, the growers being unable to 

 give credit. The wrappers are charged 3s. each if not re- 

 turned, and 2s. per cwt. is reckoned for sulphuring. The 

 goods are delivered free at the nearest station. Every August 

 the president of the society convenes a meeting of delegates 

 from the hop-growers' associations, at which meeting the 

 necessary instructions as to which breweries to apply to and 

 the scales of prices to be charged are discussed. Thus, in 1890 

 the prices were fixed at 20s. above the current rates for hill- 

 country hops at Niirnberg, this association being in the 

 district known as the Niirnberger Schweiz. Eecently, the 



' Most of these societies are eonneoted with the German Central Agricul- 

 tural Loan Society at Neuwied. 



