484 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



&quot;When the hop-seeds are planted, the result will be a variety of kinds, the same as with 

 potato or fruit-seed; therefore the plants should be multiplied by planting slips from a well- 

 known and desirable variety. The underground vines, or sprouts from the old plants, are used 

 in planting. Each piece should be from six to ten inches long and contain, at least, two or 

 three eyes, one for root formation and one or two for the vine. About two bushels of these 

 sets will be required for planting an acre. The hops, like many other plants, produce the 

 male and female blossoms on different plants. The blossom of the former grows in a loose 

 panicle, while the latter is compact in form, like the cone of some varieties of the pine tree. 



In obtaining slips for setting a hop-field, those from the male and female plants should 

 be kept separate. Only about eight or ten of the male plants will be required for an acre. 

 These should be planted in separate hills, and evenly distributed over the field. In setting a 

 field, it was formerly the custom to put six plants in a hill, but fqur are now considered a 

 more desirable number, as it involves less crowding with all the attendant evil results. Four 

 good slips should be put in a hill, and covered with two or three inches of finely-pul 

 verized soil. 



Some growers put a fork-full of well-composted manure in each hill before planting the 

 slip. Others make the land sufficiently rich without it. Whether this practice will be advis 

 able or not, will depend upon the nature of the soil and the preparation it has previously 

 received. If the land is quite dry, hill-manuring may be omitted, if the soil is sufficiently 

 fertile to warrant it. If it is inclined to be too wet, manuring in the hill will remedy the 

 evil in a measure. Level culture is considered best in this country, as a general rule, as the 

 drouths to which the soil is subjected is detrimental to the hop-plants, but in the moist cli 

 mate of England, hilling is more generally practiced. In planting, therefore, the land should 

 be left as nearly level as possible. During the first season of growth, potatoes or corn are 

 sometimes planted between the rows of hops, and the cultivation given is sufficient to keep 

 down the weeds. With some growers the poles are not set, and no effort is made to obtain 

 a crop until the second season. Others set the poles the first season, and secure a 

 small crop. 



No fresh manure should ever be used for hops. In place of manuring the hills, many 

 growers put a quantity of richer soil in each hill before planting, in order to secure a good 

 start. In planting, the sets should be spread out carefully, and the fine, damp soil be 

 pressed down upon them. Where poles are set the first season, they may be only from eight 

 to ten feet long, and one pole will be sufficient for each hill. The poles should be sharpened 

 at the end, and set one foot in the ground. They may be made of various kinds of wood. 

 Cedar is generally considered the best for the purpose. The land should then be kept free 

 from weeds. The length of the permanent poles will depend upon the soil and growth of the 

 variety planted. Where the soil is fertile and the strong-growing varieties are planted, poles 

 from twenty to thirty feet long may be necessary; but where plants of smaller growth are 

 cultivated, shorter poles may be set. Two poles are required for each hill, to give sufficient 

 sun and air to the plants. 



They should be set firmly in the ground, in order not to be blown down by the wind. 

 As they are often thus blown down or broken off, to the injury of the crop, horizontal yards 

 are preferred by many hop growers. This method renders the labor of harvesting much 

 easier. It is also much more economical than the use of long poles, and the plants generally 

 grow better. With this method, one stake is set to each hill. These stakes should be sawed 

 from eight to ten feet long, an inch and a quarter square, and be covered with coal tar. 



A row of stakes are also set around the field at a distance of eight feet from each 

 hill. The tops of all the stakes are thus connected with strong twine that has been well 

 tarred. In those hills of the field occupied by male plants, long poles should be set. This is 

 for the purpose of facilitating the distribution of the pollen from their blossoms over the 

 whole field. 



