Cultivation of Arable Land. Hops-*- After -management of. 23&amp;lt;J 



two cr three times when the feafons are favourable, and in orher cafes more&quot; 

 frequently.* 



In the following winter after the plantation has been formed, it will be ncceffary 

 to provide and prepare the poles. Where the hop-binds are healthy and vigorous 

 in their growth, two poles may be fufficient for each hill, or in the proportion of 

 two thoufand fix hundred to the acre. But where the plants are weak and lefs 

 luxuriant in their vegetation, a great number of poles will be required, as three to 

 each hill, or at leaft to each other hill, which in the latter cafe will be in the 

 proportion of three thoufand two hundred and fifty to the acre. But as the poles 

 need not befo long, or of fo much ftrength, there will probably be but little dif 

 ference in theexpence. In bringing the poles they mould not be carted upon the 

 ground, but be placed at the outfides, to be afterwards removed by the labourers 

 to the places where they are wanted. 



In the fecond year of the plantation it is feldom neceffary to apply any manure 

 to the hills, but the land in the intervals mould be ftirred in the autumn, in the 

 fame manner as in the firft ; but in the early part of the fpring,when the weather 

 is fuitable, as about the middle of March, the hills muft be opened, and the earth 

 be well cleared away from the principal roots by means of a tool which has the title 

 of a. picker, in order to afford the means of pruning and dreffing the flocks; in which 

 operations all the preceding year s bearing ftems are cut off within a joint or two 

 of the roots, and all fuch ihoots or fuckers as were not permitted to attach them- 

 felves to the poles, or which have rifen on the edges of the hills, fully cleared 

 away, nothing being fuffered to remain that can poffibly injure or prevent the 

 vigorous growth of the new binds. In performing this bufinefs, care mould be 

 taken to bare the different ftalks and roots fo compleatly, and to fuch a depth, . 

 that every thing that is hurtful may be difcovered and wholly removed. And in 

 the cutting experienced labourers mould, if poflible, be employed ; for much 

 depends on the work being properly executed, as great injury may be done by 

 leaving too great a length of bind, as well as by cutting the flocks too clofely. 

 In the former cafe the crops may be expofed to the canker&amp;gt; and, in the latter, the 

 hills be fo much weakened as not to afford moots in fufficient abundance. f It is 

 therefore neceflary that the work fhould be carefully overlooked. After the bufinefs 

 of pruning and drefling has been thus accomplifhed, the earth fhould be raked 

 back again upon the plants, fo as to rife into hills as before. 



At this period all fucb plants as have been deftroyed, or that have a weak and 



* Modern Agriculture, vol. HI. t Synopfis of Husbandry. 



