NELSON HOP GARDENS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 25, 3 April 1866, Page 2

NELSON HOP GARDENS.

Hop growing in Nelson is regarded as a thing so common by its residents, that little importance is attached to it. Such au interesting and profitable' local industry may excite greater attention in the mind of persons at a distance, as well as lead to a comparison of notes on the part of other hopgvovers, if there are auy in the province. The two chief hop-growers in Nelson are Messrs. Harley & Hooper, the former cultivating four acres, and the latter seven acres.

three acres of which have been got into cultivation this year, and cannot be expected to yield full results till the following year. The fact that one of our principal hop-growers has seen fit to enlarge the dimensions of his cultivations, speaks volumes in favor of the soil and climate of Nelson. $.-The hop cultivation is interesting from several points of view. As furnishing an important ingredient of the beverage which has become so necessary to\ the people of this province, the hop cultivation must be regarded as a most useful local industry. It is also found to be remunerative to the proprietors, as well as to place them in a position of independence as regards the foreign article. We are informed that the price°of hops by the pocket is 3s. per ib., and that well cultivated ground will yield a ton to the acre, thus producing the sum of d 6336 per acre. Another advantage of local cultivation is that the article produced is vastly superior to the one imported, the English hops losing greatly in the quality during the passage out. The fact that a four-acre piece of land iv Nelson has this year produced fully four tous of superior hops ; should attract attention to what is going on around us, and invite cultivators in other districts to go and do likewise. Of course hop-growing is not all profit. A considederable outlay and great attention is required in the cultivation, if these are adopted the most satisfactory results are realised. As many as fifty loads of manure to the acre are considered necessary to produce a good crop. There is also an expense in labor which is highly advantageous to the industrious classes who are employed. A large number of women aud children are the constant attendants of the hop grounds. These superintend the operations of planting, training, and gathering, the plant requiring constant attention from the moment it begius to grow, till it is deposited in the bin by the women and children. One of the items of expense is for poles, of which about 3,600 to the acre are used. These poles are brought from the country districts, and employ laborers to cut them down, and horses to convey them from the forests to the place where they are required for use. We believe the cost for gathering the hops is about threepence per bushel. At this rate an active womau can earn about 3s. per day. The task is not a laborious one, and us the time chosen for picking is generally fine weather, the hop grounds at this time present features of considerable interest. The comfortable appearance of the women and children employed, show that they are satisfied with their occupation. The season of hop picking is about over, and the process of drying and preparing for brewing is then to commence. We have thought it desirable to call attention to this highly useful industry with a view of stimulating the cultivators of the province to exertions similar to those put forth by the enterprising proprietors of these gardens. Nelson possesses a soil aud climate which few other parts of New Zealand can by claim to. And if the will be present, a way will be discovered of cultivating on a remunerative scale a number of the products of the earth, which have not yet been thought worthy of notice by our gardeuei's aud farmers. Resident Magistrate's Ccuet. — The only case in the Court to-day, was that of John Daukins, who was fined 10s. and costs, for drunkenness. The Magistrate expressed surprise at the defendant's appearance; after a solemn promise to amend his ways. The defendant said the promise was made three months ago, by which he seemed to intimate, that he had kept it a reasonable time. Supplying the Natives with Drink. — The attention of the G-overnment having been drawn to the increased drunkenness among the native population, the officers in authority have been requested to spare no effort to check the growth of this evil, the Acts for preventing drink being supplied to the natives, will therefore be most rigidly enforced in future. Professor Jacobs. — Last evening the Wizzard gave his farewell entertainment, the attendance was not so good as expected ; everyone -present was, however, well pleased

with, the Professor's skill. He sails in the Claude Hamilton for Melbourne ; we wish a pleasant voyage. Narrow Escape. — On Sunday night a boy belonging to the Dona Anita, on stepping on board that vessel unfortunately missed his footing and fell overboard, he """struck his head against the side of the ship while falling, and so reached the water in an insensible condition. After having been eraersed some teu minutes he was fished up from the bottom by means of a pole and hook. He has had medical attendance and hopes are entertained that he will eventually recover, but is not yet considered out of daDger. Spring Grove Anniversary Meeting. — We have received a letter from a correspondent at Richmond upon the meeting ; but regret that our limited space prevents us giving it insertion. Acclimatization Society. — The annual meeting of this society took place on Saturday night. The Secretary read a report of the proceedings of the society during the past year. There had been liberated 15 skylarks, 35 linnets, 1 hen sparrow, 6 Australian magpies, 6 fallow deer; SO silver grey rabbits have been distributed to the members or turned out. The society still possesses 14 Californian quails, 4 rooks, 1 Australian magpie. Aviaries have been constructed; the Governor of Tasmania had procured for tbe society the 6 fallow deer ; tobacco seed had been distributed. Dr. Muller, of Melbourne had forwarded 24 specimens of the Cork oak, some of which had been distributed to members ; the remainder are in a thriving condition, and will at the proper season be handed over to the Provincial Government, The Provincial Government had assisted the society by a graut of £100; £25 had been remitted to England for the purchase of hares and game birds. The society now numbers about 70 members.