124 HOP. 



observed it is only the true Hop Aphis, the Phorodon humuli 

 scientifically, the Aphis which migrates between Plum and 

 Hop, that is spoken of, not the common Plum Aphis, which 

 may be distinguished by not having the tubercles on the fore- 

 head, nor the gibbous base to the antenna; which characterise 

 the Hop-a/uZ-Damson Aphis, 



Waslmifis. — " The best composition is 100 gallons of water, 

 — soft water if possible, or, if hard, with soda added ; 4 to 

 5 lbs. of soft soap, pure ; 6 to 8 lbs. of quassia ; boiled well to 

 get full extract. 



" This wash is sent up, squirted up and over the Hop- 

 plants, the play of the jet being directed to the under surfaces 

 of the leaves by means of large garden-engines with strong 

 pumps and long flexible hose, and jets held under the leaves 

 by men. Large planters employ washing-machines * drawn 

 by horses between the rows, whose pumps are worked by the 

 wheels, and force the wash up and over the plants through a 

 series of tubes perforated at intervals. 



" This washing process, in order to be perfectly successful, 

 must be commenced directly there is any deposit of lice upon 

 the leaves, and continued systematically until all of these 

 have been cleared off. In some seasons fresh flies are 

 continually wafted to the plants, and in this case it will be 

 necessary to wash frequently and watch the plants with great 

 care. 



" The advantages of washing Hop-plants for Aphis blight 

 were clearly shown in 1882. Planters who washed grew 

 crops of from 7 to 9 cwt. per acre, while those who did not 

 wash their plants grew nothing or next to nothing." f 



The proportion of quassia used varies, presumably accord- 

 ing to special circumstances or views of the Hop-grower. 

 The following note w^as sent by one contributor, as to method 

 of preparation: — " We steep the quassia in cold water, as it is 

 said the properties are extracted better by cold than hot 

 water, as the heat tends to expand the wood, thus preventing 

 the water penetrating into the chips. But we find we get a 

 very strong extract from chips which have been previously 

 steeped in cold water by very rapidly steaming for a couple of 

 hours." 



The following recipe for Hop-wash, used by an extensive 

 grower, has also been found serviceable in dry weather : — 

 To thirty-six gallons of water in a copper add sixty pounds of 

 soft soap. Then add either fourteen pounds of bitter aloes or 

 two pounds of tobacco, and boil together. For use, add 

 thirty-six gallons of water to every gallon of this liquid.— 

 (J. W.) 



* The horse washing-machines have recently been much improved, 

 t Report previously quoted. 



