250 AUGUST. 



Considerable quantities, however, are cultivated in 

 Nottinghamshire, and are known in commerce by 

 the name of North Clay Hops. Those of Kent 

 rank first in quality. Tusser, who wrote in 1557, 

 gives, in his " Five Hundreth Poyntes of Good 

 Husbandrie," the following rules for the choice of a 



HOP-GROUND. 



When fansie persuadeth, among other crops, 

 To have for his spending sufficient of hops, 

 Must willingly follow of choices to choose 

 Such lessons approved as skilful do use. 



Ground gravellie, sandie, and mixed with claie 

 Is naughtie for hops, anie maner of waie ; 

 Or if it be mingled with rubbish and stone, 

 For drieness and barrenness, let it alone. 



Choose soile for the hop of the rottenest mould, 

 Well donged and wrought as a garden-plot should ; 

 Not far from the water, but not overflown ; 

 This lesson well noted is meete to be known. 



The sun in the south, or else southlie and west, 

 Is well to the hop, as a welcomed guest ; 

 But wind in the north, or else northerlie east, 

 To the hop is as ill as a fraie in a feast. 



Meet plot for a hop-ground once found, as is told, 

 Make thereof account as of jewel of gold ; 

 Now dig it and leave it, the sunne for to burne, 

 And afterwards fence it to serve for that turne* 



The hop for his profit I thus do exalt, 

 It strengtheneth drink, and it favoureth malt ; 

 And, being well brewed, long kept it will last, 

 And drawing abide, if ye drawe not too fast. 



