I N T R O D U C 1' I O N. xix 



By the lafi: of Auguft or firft of September, the hops will 

 ripen and be fit to gather. This may eafily be known by their 

 colour changing, and having a fragrant fmell : their feed 

 grows brown and hard.* As foon as ripe, they mufl: be 

 gathered without delay, for a florm, or frofts, will injure 

 them materially. The mod expedient method of picking hops, 

 is to cut the vines three feet from the ground, pull up the 

 poles and lay them on crotches horizontally, at a height that 

 may be conveniently reached. Put under them a bin of equal 

 length, and four may fland on each fide to pick at a time. 

 Fair weather mufl be taken to gather hops in, if poflible ; and 

 hops ought not to be gathered when the dew is on them, for 

 dew is apt to make them mould. They fhould be dried as 

 foon as poffible after they are gathered ; If not immediately, 

 they mufl be fpread on a floor to prevent their changing colour. 

 The bell mode of drying them Is, with a fire of charcoal, on 

 a kiln covered with hair-cloth, in the manner of a malt-kiln.f 

 The fire mufl be kept fleady and equal, and the hops flirred 

 gently. Great attention is necefTary in this part of the bufinefs, 



* Hops had better be gathered before they arc quite ripe, than remain till they 

 are over ripe ; for then they will loofe their feed by the wind, or on being handled. The 

 feed is the flrongeft part of the hop, and they will lofe their green colour, which is 

 very valuable. 



t Mats made of the fpHnters of walnut, or aOi, will znAvei the purpofe, and corae 

 cheaper than hair cloth. 



