Vegetables. 
759 = 493 
1 account of the climate ; and the cultivation of early vegetables 
only attempted under glass. 
It will be seen from this sketch of vegetable growing in Great Conclusion, 
itain, that it is a most important industry, giving employ- 
■nt to numbers of persons, and providing small luxuries and 
lolesome food for a mighty population, and at the same 
lie giving a fair profit to those engaged in it. The cultivation 
special vegetables pays as a rule so much better than corn 
>wing or meat producing, that it will without doubt be largely 
tended in the future. As the population increases and the 
ges of the labouring classes advance, the demand for luxuries 
( this kind will also increase. 
A brief history of the production of hops, fruit, and vege- General 
t )les has been given in the foregoing chapters, illustrating the '■^*"'n«' 
1 3 and progress of each of these specialities of British agri- 
c ture : from which it will be seen that their cultivation has 
I >n largely extended during the past 24 years. 
Vot only has their cultivation been increased, but the systems 
nanagement have been much improved lately, especially with 
r ard to fruit. The keen competition of fruit-producers in 
Iince, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and the 
Cannel Islands, from which countries no less than 1,806,346 
b hels of raw fruit were sent to England in 1876, has caused 
tl English growers to make improvements, and will necessi- 
Ui their adoption of the best and most economical modes of 
c :ivation in the future. The same may be said of vegetables, 
eiecially the early and more delicate sorts, in respect of which 
tire is great competition from various countries. The demand 
f( fruit and vegetables is, however, increasing, and Avill without 
(1 bt continue to increase while the trade of England flourishes 
ai her large population of mechanics, artisans, and labourers 
ol 11 kinds receive good wages ; and in spite of foreign com- 
P' tion, which, on account of the perishable nature of these 
cdmodities, is limited to countries within easy reach of the 
E^lish markets, their cultivation will further increase and con- 
ti 16 to be fairly remunerative. With regard to hops, the pro- 
sj;ts of the growers are not so bright. Hops are now grown 
in 11 parts of the world, and can be sent in good condition from 
T mania, the extreme southern limit, and from the fertile valleys 
of California, the Ultima Thule of hop-production. Large quan- 
til s were sent to England from all parts of America in the past 
seon, which depreciated the value of English hops in a ruinous 
dfee. There is no duty payable upon hops imported into 
El land, but a duty is levied upon English hops that arc ex- 
pied to America, the Australian colonies, and various other 
