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This Semsch variety is worthy a thorough trial in American gardens, and if a region can be found with soil and climatic conditions similar to those of Saaz, the Semsch cuttings might produce a grade of hops rivaling the latter in excellence. The benefits from imported cuttings in Saaz furnish a striking example of the value of plant introduction, and of the rejuvenation of a plant culture by growing cuttings from another region. This principle of introducing from a colder to a warmer region is well recognized in America, in the case of seeds, but its application to cuttings has certainly not received the study it deserves. Neither has the relation of soil and climatic conditions to the growth of cuttings been determined.
IMPORTATION OF HOP CUTTINGS.
Arrangements have been made for the importation of a considerable number of cuttings of the Semsch hop for the purpose of testing them under the various soil and climatic conditions prevailing in the American hop-growing districts. It would be a happy outcome if they proved as successful as they have in Saaz. In order to ascertain whether the Auscha Red hop when transferred to America will retain its native productiveness, and also to determine if the acquired characters, gained by cultivating the same variety for years in Saaz, will be retained, a quantity of cuttings from both places has been ordered for the spring of 1900. In addition, three other varieties are imported for trial, namely, the Auscha Green hop, Auscha Late hop, both good second grade varieties, and the true Saaz hop, from plants cultivated for a great many generations in Saaz.
According to Professor E. Gross, of the Agricultural College at Tetschen, Bohemia, the last-named sort, the Saaz Red or Gold hop, is the best very early variety, but it is said to be delicate and to yield only moderately. The lupulin content is high (15 per cent or over), and consequently these hops command a high price.
The Semsch or Auscha Red hop is ready for picking about ten days later than the Saaz, is more vigorous, and yields more. The lupulin content, however, is much less, being only 9.13 per cent according to Haberlandt.
David G. Fairchild,
Agricultural Explorer.
Approved:
J. H. Brigham,
Acting Secretary of Agricultrue.
Washington, D. C., October 10, 1899.
