HOP CULTIVATION IN WAIROA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 658, 24 March 1879, Page 2

HOP CULTIVATION IN WAIROA.

(From the Wairoa Free Press.)

Despite the exceedingly unfavorable spring and summer we have experienced we are. glad to be enabled to report favorably on the prospect of hop cultivation in this country. We visited Mr. Witty's plantation on Monday last, and were courteously shown over the grounds by the manager — Mr. Piper. There were about twenty pickers engaged at the time of our visit, and to judge by the rapidity with which the crop was removed from the haulm, we should imagine the laborers would make good wages, say from 6 to 8 shillings a day, the more experienced hands being able to obtain the best wages. The plantation is a small one consisting of about 10,380 hills, covering a space of nearly 10 acres and a quarter ; a portion of it is of two years' growth, and the remainder one year, having been planted last Spring. The lower portion of the plantation, facing the river, appeared to us to bear a remarkably heavy crop, considering the dry season, and we are informed that it is expected to realise a return of 12 cwt. to the acre. In England the average return is about 10 cwt., while some plantations go as low as 6 cwt. to the acre. Taking into consideration the youth of the hop- vines, and the unfavorable state of the season, it is only fair to expect that in a few years' time, the yield will be increased to 18 or 20 cwt., and in thus estimating the yield, we do not overrate the producing capabilities of our soil, or the tempering influences of our genial climate. The aost-house, at the time of our visit, contained four bales of hops, ready packed, weighing about two hundred weight each, and the floor of the drying department was. covered with a quantity of as fine a specimen of hops as ever it was our pleasure to witness, the colour and flavour being all that could be desired. The experiment tried by Mr. Witty on a small scale, has been, no doubt, an expensive one, but it has demonstrated beyond a doubt, the fact that the land in this County is highly fitted for hop cultivation, and the climate eminently suitable for the production of an article of commerce far and away superior to the imported article. In devoting these few lines to our latest industry, we feel certain of its proving a very paying concern, and are actuated by the hope that capitalists may turn their attention to this profitable means of investment. It is probable that before very long there will be land open for sale on deferred payments, persons therefore possessed of sufficient capital, and desirous of at once advancing their own interests, and those of the district, would dp well to turn their attention to this industry.