233 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



deeply plowed and harrowed. Then mark out the ground 

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

 of the furrows, and unless the ground be already rich enough, 

 place three or four 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 six 

 or eight 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 five inches, leaving the 

 ground level when planted. The first season, the interme- 

 diate spaces between the hills may be planted with corn or 

 potatoes, and the ground carefully cleared of weeds, and 

 frequently stirred. No poles are necessary the first year, as 

 the product will not repay the cost. The ground should re- 

 ceive a dressing of compost the following spring, and the 

 plants be kept well hoed and clean. 



Poles may be prepared at the rate of two or three to each 

 hill, 20 to 24 feet long, and selected from a straight, smooth 

 under-growth of tough and durable wood, from four to seven 

 inches diameter at the butt end. 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 three or four feet in the spring, train them 

 around the poles, winding in the direction of the sun's 

 course, and fasten below the second or third set of leaves, 

 where there is sufficient strength of vine to sustain them- 

 selves. They may be confined with rushes, tough grass, or 

 more easily with woollen yarn. This operation is needed 

 again in a few days, to secure such as may have got loose 

 by the winds or other causes, and to train up the new 

 shoots. 



The gathering of hops takes place when they have ac- 

 quired a strong scent, at which time the seed becomes firm 

 and brown, and the lowest leaves begin to change color. 

 This precedes the frosts in September. The vines must first 

 be cut at the surface of the ground, and the poles pulled up 

 and laid in convenient piles, when they may be stripped of 

 the hops, which are thrown into large, light baskets. Or 

 the poles may be laid on long, slender boxes with handles at 

 each end, (to admit of being carried by two persons), and as 

 the hops are stripped they fall into the box. Be careful to 

 select them free from leaves, stems and dirt. 



