236* * Cultivation of Arable Land. Hops Times and Methods of planting. 



well rotted dung and good frefh vegetable earth, by being intimately blended 

 together and remaining in that ftate fora confiderable length of time, fh &amp;gt;uld be 

 applied in fmall heaps, fo as to afford about half a bufhel for each hole. 



The bufinefs of planting out the fets is then to be commenced, which is 

 performed at different times, according to the nature of the plants. Where fets from 

 the cuttings of old binds are made ufe of, the work is beft performed in the jatter 

 end of February, in March, or the beginning of April, as the feafon may fuit ; as 

 thefe are the periods of cutting over and drefiing the old binds, when fets of this 

 fort can be the mod eafily obtained ; but, when bedded, or root fets are employed, 

 as may fometirr.es be the cafe on digging up former plantations, the autumn 

 is the moft proper feafon, as about the end of October, or beginning of No 

 vember. 



In the firft of thefe methods the fets or cuttings fhould be made from the moft 

 healthy and vigorous binds, each being cut to the length of about five or fix inche?, 

 having two or three eyes or joints, which arc the buds, from which the roots and 

 Hems, or new binds, proceed. They are fold by the hundred of fix fcore, at from 

 fixpence to a (hilling. In the planting, different forms and diftances are preferred 

 by different planters, according to the manner in which the after-culture of the 

 crop is performed. Where it is executed by means of horfe labour, the beft me 

 thod is that of fetting them out in rows, at fuitable diftances, fo as to form ftraight 

 jines in every direction. But, in cafes where it is to be executed by the handj 

 this is not offo much confequence, provided a fufficient fpace be allowed for the 

 healthy growth of the plants. In this way fome practife the row method, while 

 others prefer a triangular plant. It is evident, however, that the planting in equi- 

 diftant rows, fo as to admit of the ground between the plants being kept clean by 

 the harrow and nidget, muft be much lefs expenfive than that of the irregular 

 mode, in which hand labour muft be employed. 



The diftances at which the plants are fet out, or rather thofe of the holes and hills 

 formed for their reception, are different according to circumftances. Some cul 

 tivators advife fix feet and a half or feven feet, while others prefer a five or fix 

 feet plant. As the hop-plant, from the luxuriance of its growth, rifes to a great 

 height, and fends forth much bind and foliage, it muft of neceflity require confi 

 derable fpace, as where the plants ftand too clofely together they are not only more 

 liable to become difeafed, but to boufe or run together above the poles, by which fo 

 much fnade is produced, as to prevent the hops below from completing their 

 growth ; and of courfe the quantity of produce is much leffened. 



On thefe grounds it would appear that this plant cannot be cultivated with per- 



