52 
Hop Cultivation. 
in an unparalleled expansion of trade and consequent increase of 
wealth and of effective demand for farm-produce. 
Hence the quarter century just ending has seen agriculture 
relieved of its greatest cause of uncertainty and alarm, and re- 
stored to its natural and unassailable position. It leaves the 
agriculturist better educated, and therefore more Avilling to be 
taught and more able to learn. It leaves him in possession of 
resources whether of machinery, manures, or means of loco- 
motion, far in advance of the wildest dreams of his forefathers. 
It can, therefore, close its career with a satisfactory account of 
its stewardship ; seeing that it hands over agriculture to its suc- 
cessor free from all restrictions, with a demand for its products 
which has never been equalled, with the gigantic power of steam 
entirely under its control, and with the growing intelligence of 
the agriculturist just awakening to the consciousness of the 
boundless region of scientific improvement which lies invitingly 
Avithin reach. 
Kirby Hall, 1803*4. 
II. — Hop Cultivation. By John P. Smith. 
A Worcester Prize Essay. 
The hop thrives best in moderately warm climates, and this may 
account for Kent and Sussex, two of the most southerly counties, 
being selected for its cultivation, and producing a very large 
proportion of the annual vield of the kingdom. Worcester and 
Hereford stand next in importance, and yield about one-eleventh 
of the yearly average growth. Farnham and its neighbourhood 
stand next as to quantity. The district known as the North 
Clays, in Nottinghamshire, formerly grew a fair quantity of good 
hops, but of late years the plantations have been much reduced ; 
the same remark applies to the district around Stow Market in 
Suffolk, and also to the county of Essex. 
A south-eastern aspect affords, in my opinion, the best 
situation for a hop garden, and if it be well protected from the 
west winds that prevail during the autumn, so much the better, 
as great mischief is often done by wind. Due care must be 
taken to adapt the planting to the peculiarities of the soil. 
The Golding hop will be found to succeed best on dry friable 
soil, with a gravelly or rocky subsoil, such as we find in the 
hilly districts of Middle and East Kent, whilst Mathon White, 
and Grapes, prefer a stronger soil, approaching to clay ; the 
former variety flourishes on the deep land in the vale of the 
Teme, and the latter in the Weald of Kent and Sussex, which is 
