THE HOP INDUSTRY IN TASMANIA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 75, 28 March 1874, Page 2

THE HOP INDUSTRY IN TASMANIA.

The cultivation of the hop is bo greatly on the incrense in this province that wo have no doubt that the following from tbo Auslralasicui will prove of interest to a large number of our readers .• — The Hobart Town Mercury has published its annual report on the " Hop Grounds of New Norfolk," the hop garden of the Southern Hemisphere. It ia evident that hop-grow-ing in Tasmania is not qufte a3 profitable as could be desired, but we are left ia Borne doubt with regard to the cause. It is acknowledged that poltsare sometimes obtained, but that is neither the greatest nor an insuperable evil. The price of labor is clearly indicated as an important drawback, and the fiscal system of Victoria is another. We cannot comprehend in what manner the total annual coat (£SO per acre) is made up, and we should much like to see a detailed statement. If our contemporary could provide one, the mutter might form a useful subject for discussion. Although the acreage under hops is not regarded as large enough for a district possessing every condition to iusure the growth of heavy crops, we glean from the reports that upwards of 3000 hands must find employment in picking, which lasts from, three to five weeks. The difficulty of finding hop poles is likely to result in the more general adoption of Mr Coley's system of poling and wiring, which was introduced into the district by Sir Robert Officer, and has been adopted, both entire and in a modified form, by several of his neighbors. " Under the new system the hills are the same distance apart, and there nro two stout permanent poles to each. These poles are 18ft. high, and are set firmly in the ground, the ends being soaked in crude creosote to prevent decay. Four feet from the ground is a wire bracket into which the ends of a lighter pole 14ft. long fit, and this pole is thon placed in a diagonal position from near the middle of the permanent pole in one hill to the top of the permanent pole in the next, two upright wires keeping the cross polo in position. This gives each alley the appearance of a vinery. It is stated that the bines grow better, and bear much better, when poled* in this manner, while there is also a great saving in labor and poles. If the large upright polea are properly put in, they will last for a great many years, and there is no labor in pole-pulling, as a woman at hop-picking time could easily cut the bines and lift the diagonal poles out of the brackets. A great advantage, however, is that under the * Coley ' system the poles cannot be blown down, and there is consequently much less damage done to the bines. There is, of course, great additional outlay at first — in the extra sizß of the poles, in" soaking them in creosote to prevent decay, in putting them properly in tho ground, and iv the mechanical labour required in the fitting of the diagonal poles, but there is no doubtthat in the end tho saving would be great, especially where both the old and the new system were adopted, ns the ordinary upright poles, when from continual sharpening they become too short, would always come in as diagonal poles under the 'Coley' syßtem," It is somewhat strange that the Tasmanian grower, or some proprietor of lund there, has not raised coppices of bluegums, or some other quick-growing tree, to supply tho demand for poles which must exiat so long as hops are grown. Even as soon as (hroe years had elapsed there would be a demand for the thinnings for new hop plantations, and after the sixth year a regular annual return would be forthcoming from a properly managed pole-ground. If poles are in demand, it should certainly pay well to produce them. We glean from the reports

generally thnt the crop is not so heavy as usual, the decrease being variously estimated at from 2ovvt to 4cwfc per acre. The plants have not suffered frora any apecinl disease, but tho wind appears to have been peculiarly destructive, maoy hop-grounds having suffered much lobs of crop through the poles being blown dowc Bushy-park, the estate of Messrs E. Shoobridge and sods, is still the most extensive of tho New Norfolf hop grounds. Seventy acres aro in bearing, and they aie expected to yield an average of 14ewt per acre, or 2cwt loaa than last season. The hops, as elsewhere, looked Jess flourishing thun usual, but no damage has been sustained from tho red spider. This peel is prevented at Bushy-park by turning sheep inlo the grounds; the spider appears first on the lower leaves, which the sheep eat off, and thus do! only obtain food for themselves, but act as blight destroyers. Io all these reports not a single mention, is made of aphis, or what English growers term " lice," ancTirrigntion being so generally adapted, we should have expected to hear of aphis iv Borne of ihe worstdrained grounds. The appliances for drying aud packing are on a large and most efficient scale at Bushy-park. " Since last year, two new brick cottagee, each containing teu rooms, have been erected on the eslnto for the people. They are most comforiable looking places, and testify to the very great anxiety shown by Mr Shoobridge for (he welfare of those whom he employs. It would be weli if other growers could afford to go to the Bame expense." The pickers, who number 450, men, women, and children, are provided with an allowance of food in addition to their pay — three half-pence a bushel. At Valleyfield, the came firm have another liopground, employing about 120 pickers. At the park, the grouuds are irrigated by a race from the Styx, but at Valleyfield irrigation is carried on by means of an engine of 10-horse power driving a centrifugal pump, which raises about 2000 gallons of water per minute The red snider appeared, but was kept down by" the use of abundance of water. To this report follow several of hop grounds to the samo extent — 16 acres; but some of them will yield from Jscwt to 18cwt per acre. We note a general preference for the "goldens" variety. Many growers are suid to be culling' their plants, by removing all impure ones, so as to have nothing but goldens or early grapes. At Glen Derwent, the grounds of Messrs Dewnie and Sons, large yields are aunually noted; last year "considerably over 25cwt per acre" was obtained, and there are some patches which will yield 35cwt. The hills are planted 7ft apart, so that there are only about 800 hills per acre. •• All the hops looked splendid, and testify to the great care bestowed upon them. Manure is not spared in any way, Maiden Island guano, old rags, bone-dust, and other refuse being used in almost unlimited quantities. Water for irrigation is obtained from the River Darweat by means of a six-horse power engine, and about SOOgals. per miuute are raised, and distributed through the ground in cast-iron pipes and drains."