Hopping (1837):estimate of duty

Post date: Apr 03, 2012 3:59:3 PM

Extract from West Kent Guardian 1837:

Wateringbury.—Most of the planters in this neighborhood have finished their hop picking. The complaint is quite universal of the shortness of the crop compared with the expectations formed previous to the commencement of picking. We never once thought of realizing last year's duty by nearly a fourth; but we now find ourselves full one third short of our anticipations. For the most part the hops seem good in quality. It is generally thought here that the duty will not exceed from £160 to £170,000 the outside, and some think even lower.