FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 161 



In Greatbritain, where lands are dearer, and labor 

 cheaper, than in this Country, hollow-draining has been 

 found a very profitable improvement of wet soils. That 

 Country, however, has a much moister climate than this; 

 and, of course, much of the upland soils there are longer in 

 a wet state, than in this Country. 



We have, however, considerable lands which would be 

 much improved by hollow-draining : But the essential in- 

 quiry is, would not the expense overbalance the additional 

 value confered on the lands by the operation ? In many 

 cases, most probably, it would : In others, again, we think 

 the improvement would be found profitable; particularly it' 

 the operation were performed in the cheapest manner. 



Machinery may easily be contrived for the purpose of 

 cuting the drains, and of closing them again, principally by 

 the labor of Horses, or Oxen, which might be a great 

 saving in the expense. 



Bridges, on the construction of the hollow drain, may 

 often be advantageously used for passing over ditches, and 

 small streams. For this purpose, a suitable quantity of 

 stones are to be thrown into the ditch, or channel of the 

 stream, and the chinks filled up, as before mentioned, and 

 covered with earth, and a durable bridge is made. The 

 waters of the ditch or stream pass underneath among the 

 stones. 



HOP (Homulus.) This plant requires a rich mellow 

 soil, well prepared by diging or deep ploughing, Bog- 

 meadows are good for raising it. 



The plants are raised in hills, six or seven feet apart, 

 where the soil is not very rich, and at a greater distance, 

 where it is richer. In the Spring, when the plants begin 

 to shoot, take cutings from branches which grow from the 

 main root: If of the last year's growth, the better; and 

 these are known by their white appearance. Let each have 

 three or four buds ; bury them lightly in the hills, with the 

 buds uppermost; allow two or three sets to a pole, and 

 three poles to a hill. For making the hills, first dig round 

 holes about three feet in diameter, a foot in depth, and 

 deeper if the soil will admit it; fill up these with the earth 

 thrown out, well mixed with old compost, if the soil be not 

 already very rich. 



The first year, the hills are not to be poled ; but the 

 ground in this, as in all succeeding years, is to be kept 

 mellow and free from weeds, by ploughings and hoeings. 

 As the vines rise this year, let them be slightly twisted 

 together on each hill, and let the hills be raised a litlle by 

 hoeing in some earth round the vines, 



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