Here the divorcement from the soil is as apparent as in every other agricultural line in England.

While the manufacture of beer steadily increases, the growth of hops steadily decreases.

In 1835 the acreage under hops was 71,327.

To-day it stands at 48,024, a decrease of 3103 from the acreage of last year.
Small as the acreage is this year, a poor summer and terrible storms reduced the yield.

This misfortune is divided between the people who own hops and the people who pick hops.