SPECIAL CROPS. 231 



Hops form quite an important crop in some parts of tlie coun- 

 try, and might in other parts ; wc therefore give a few directions 

 by which any farmer may start a hop yard. The soil best 

 adapted to hop growing is a loamy clay, underlaid with lime- 

 stone, but they can be raised on any land that will produce a 

 crop of corn. It should be thoroughly underdrained if at all 

 inclined to be wet, as standing water is fatal to the plants. 



The position should not be exposed to the fiercest winds, 

 neither should it be so sheltered that it will not get a constant 

 supply of air and sunshine. Thorough preparation of the 

 ground at first is good economy, as the plants are permanent. 



It should be plowed twelve inches, and subsoiled twelve 

 more, or if it is old sward, the turf should be turned under and 

 covered, and then followed by the subsoiler. In the spring, 

 manure heavily, plow, cross plow, harrow, and cross harrov/ 

 until the soil is mellow, and the manure thoroughly mixed with 

 it Decomposed vegetable matter is preferable to barnyard 

 manure. If the soil is destitute of lime sow a few busliels 

 every year, as the plant must have lime, Planting. — The vines 

 are not propagated by seeds, but by runners or sprouts from 

 old vines. They are called "sets," and can be obtained in any 

 quantity from old hop yaids, and sent by express. The "sets" 

 should be taken up as soon as the frost is out, by loosening the 

 earth about them, cutting them off near the main plant, and 

 lifting them out so as to break or bruise them as little as possi 

 ble. These should be cut into small pieces, with two or throe 

 tiyes each. Mark off your field bo-th ways, and make the hills 

 eight to ten feet apart each way. Let these distances be care- 

 fully measured, as perfectly straight and uniform rows are u 

 very great advantage in after cultivation. When places for 

 hills are determined, put two or three sets in a hill, eyes up. 

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