240 Cultivation of Arable Land. Hops Poling of. 



unhealthy appearance, fhould likewife have others put in their (lead, in order that 

 the plantations may be kept as perfect as pofllble. Such of the prunings as are 

 cut from themoft healthy and vigorous plants may be referved for the purpofc of 

 forming new plantations. 



In this fcafon, as well as the preceding, three hoeings and one good moulding 

 fhould be performed ; the firfl about the beginning of May, the fccond in June, and 

 the third in July ; a little mould each time being drawn to the root of the plants 

 on the hills in order to keep them fufficiently moift. The moulding fliould take 

 place in the early part of Auguft, the earth being well laid upon the hills round the 

 root-ftems of the plants ; and it mould be executed, if poflible, foon after fome rain 

 has fallen. 



In the poling, which is the next operation to be performed, the common rule 

 is to begin as foon as the binds have advanced two or three inches above the fur- 

 face of the ground, which is in general about the latter end of April, or beginning 

 of May. The number of poles that are the moft proper and advantageous for 

 each hill has not been yet well afcertained by planters : but as it has been mown 

 that a full and free admidion of air, light, and fun, is effentially neceflUry to the 

 healthy growth of the plants, they mould never be too much crowded. Three is 

 the mod ufual allowance, though a greater number is often employed. They mould 

 be placed in fuch a manner as to leave the largeft fpaccs or openings towards the 

 fouth or fouth-weft, that the plants may derive the more full influence of light 

 and heat ; and the ftouteft on the fide which has a northern afpect, the more pow 

 erfully to refift the winds. The poles are moft commonly fixed in the ground by 

 means of an iron crow, with which holes to the depth of eighteen or twenty inches 

 are formed, and the (harpened root ends of the poles forcibly placed in them, the 

 earth being immediately afterwards well rammed or trodden about them. 



The difficulty of this bufinefs chiefly confifls in pitching the holes to proper 

 depths, in fetting the poles down with fuch exertion as that they may fix them- 

 felves firm at the bottom, and that the tops of the poles may have fuch a direc 

 tion outwards as to obviate, as much as can be, the bou/ing of the binds. Where 

 due attention is not beftowed on thefe points,much injury and lofs may be fuftained 

 by the deftrudlion of the plants. When the poles are fet, two or three of the binds 

 may be directed up each of them, being tied, in the manner advifed above, in 

 different places by labourers employed for the purpofe, and which is to be re- 

 peated as there may be occafion for it. When the poles are high and the binds 

 itrong, (landing ladders may be ufeful in tying them near the tops. 



It has been obferved that this work demands particular attention in the early 



