HOPS. 217 



troy it. The seed cost 14s. Qd. (about $3.65) per bushel, 

 and weighed about 50 Ibs. per bushel. 7 ' 



THE HOP, (Humulus lupulus,) 



Of which there are several varieties indigenous to this country, 

 b an important field crop. It grows best on a strong loam or 

 well drained clay with a light sub-soil. If the latter be reten- 

 tive of water, the hop will soon dwindle or die out. If made 

 sufficiently rich, it will flourish on light loam or gravels, but a 

 new, strong soil b better and this requires little or no manure. 

 The most desirable exposure is a gentle slope to the south, 

 but this should be where it can have a free circulation of air 

 amidst the tall luxuriant vegetable growth. 



CULTIVATION. If the land has-been long in use, it should 

 be thoroughly dressed with compost and alkaline manures, or 

 what is nearly equivalent, with fresh barn yard-manures on a 

 previously well-hoed crop, marie perfectly free of all weeds 

 and deeply plowed and harrowed. Then mark out the ground 

 at intervals of 6 feet each way and plant in the intersection of 

 the furrows, and unless the ground be sufficiently rich, place 

 3 or 4 shovels of compost in each hill. The planting is done 

 with the new roots taken from the old hills, which are laid 

 bare by the plow. Each root should be 6 or 8 inches long 

 and must contain two or more eyes, one to form the root and 

 the other the vine. Six plants are put in a hill, all of which 

 should be within the compass of about a foot, and covered to a 

 depth of 5 inches, leaving the ground level when planted. 

 The first season, the intermediate spaces between the hills 

 may be planted with corn or potatoes, and the ground should be 

 carefully cleared ol woods and frequently stirred. No poles 

 are necessary the first year, as the product will not repay. 

 The ground should receive a heavy drossing of compost the 

 following spring if not sufficiently rich and the plants should be 

 woll hoed and kept clean. 



POLES may be prepared at the rate of 2 or 3 to each hill, 

 vIO to 24 feet long and selected 'from a straight, smooth under- 

 growth of tough, durable wood from 4 to 7 inches diameter at 

 i lie but! oiid. These are sharpened and firmly set with an iron 

 bar, or socket bar with a wooden handle, in such a position as 

 will allow the fullest effect of the sun upon the hills or roots. 

 When the plants have run to the length of 3 or 4 feet in the 

 spring, they should be trained around the poles, winding in the 

 direction of the sun's course, and fastened below the second or 

 third set of leaves where there is sufficient strength of vine to 



