392 



Hop Trade of Bavaria. 



[AUG., 



about 226,000 cwts. will remain in the hands of the brewers, 

 the trade, and the growers. In all hop-growing and beer- 

 producing countries the hop-stocks are considerably larger 

 than in former years, in consequence of two consecutive 

 years with heavy crops, accompanied by a decrease in the 

 consumption of beer in all countries. The export to 

 England and Belgium has slightly increased, but to all other 

 countries, especially to the United States of America, it has 

 decreased. Although in some countries a reduction in the 

 acreage has taken place, in others, especially Austria, a 

 remarkable increase is to be noted. A considerable reduction 

 of the acreage of hop land under cultivation has taken place 

 in Germany in recent years. The Report recommends further 

 reduction of the acreage, especially in districts where un- 

 favourable conditions of production exist. 



In Austria it has been considered that the position of 

 growers would be improved by the introduction of a law as 

 to origin. This idea arose from the belief that thereby the 

 prices of certain varieties, such as Saaz, would be increased. 

 In Germany also the idea seems to be prevalent in several 

 interested quarters that a law as to origin would improve the 

 present state of the industry. But the consumer is now less 

 inclined than ever before to attach importance to origin, but 

 lays stress principally on a well cured, well picked, good 

 coloured article. These, and not the origin, are the qualifica- 

 tions which mainly determine the value of the goods. 



The Report considers it clearly proved that the state of 

 the hop-growing industry cannot be improved by laws as to 

 origin nor by protective tariffs. An improvement can only 

 take place if the growing of hops is discontinued in districts 

 not suitable for their cultivation, of which there are many 

 in Germany, while at the same time growers reduce their 

 acreage by at least one fourth. It is not essential to grow 

 first-class hops everywhere, for there are districts that can 

 be worked more economically for the production of lower 

 qualities. But, wherever hops are grown, close attention 

 should be paid to sorting, picking, and curing, for these three 

 points materially influence the value. It is suggested also 

 that Bavarian growers should endeavour to grow early sorts, 

 as they stand a better chance of being harvested in good 

 condition. 



