no 



Accommodation of Hop-Pickers. 



[may, 



to be squeezed out of the industry, and for the large growers 

 possessing capital and practising scientific methods to be left 

 in possession of the field. This tendency is illustrated, not 

 only by the remarkable decrease of the acreage under culti- 

 vation of hops — more than 30 per cent, of this area having 

 been grubbed up since 1885 — but by the heavy crops to the 

 acre raised by the principal growers of the present day. One 

 firm in Worcestershire has raised a crop of 20 cwt. to the acre, 

 in 1906, although the crop generally has been a light one. 

 In these days, then, the cultivation of hops is a costly business, 

 requiring capital for its successful pursuit ; and, speaking 

 generally, the small farmer without capital cannot afford to 

 cultivate so costly and " speculative " a crop. 



The bearing of these facts on the hop-picking industry is 

 important, for, whereas the small farmer, with whom hop- 

 growing is a temporary venture, can only afford to make 

 temporary, and often inadequate, provision for the accommo- 

 dation of his pickers, in farm-buildings or tents, the larger 

 growers regard, or should regard, such provision as part of 

 their capital outlay ; they can, and in most instances do, provide 

 accommodation of a more or less permanent character, and 

 it is both reasonable and practicable for sanitary authorities 

 to require that such accommodation shall adequately conform 

 to the standards prescribed in their bye-laws for the health 

 and comfort of the pickers. 



The hop-picking season commences early in September, 

 and lasts from three to six weeks, an average season being 

 about four weeks. 



An average picker can earn about is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. a day in 

 Kent. The rate in Worcestershire appears to be slightly less, 

 but is supplemented by certain allowances of tea and sugar, 

 vegetables, &c, and, as a rule, by an allowance of 6d. in respect 

 of Sunday's dinner. 



Dr. Farrar discusses in detail the result of his investigation 

 into the accommodation provided for the pickers, and gives 

 plans and illustrations of huts which have been specially 

 erected on some farms and particulars of their cost. He 

 concludes that the conditions are not generally unsatisfactory, 

 although, in particular instances, the accommodation provided 

 for hop-pickers affords ground for serious complaint. "It is 



