FARMER'S ASSISTANT, 16S 



The best poles are those which will last longest. Ches- 

 nut is on this account to be prefered. They are to be laid 

 under cover, while not in use. Each pole should have 

 three vines, and all above this should be broken off in the 

 Spring. 



A hop garden, says Mr. Young, will last almost forever, 

 by renewing the hills that now and then fail; but the better 

 way is to grub it up, and new plant it, about every twenty- 

 five years. 



Mats made of the splinters of ash will answer as well as 

 those made of hair, for the purpose of being used in kilns 

 for drying the hops* 



The seed of the hops is the strongest part; and therefore 

 they should always be gathered so soap, that these will not 

 fall out in gathering. 



The long white hop is most esteemed, as yielding the 

 greatest quantity and being the most beautiful. Care should 

 be taken to have the hops all of one kind ; for, if there be 

 different sorts, some will probably ripen before others. 



Some say that the hills in the hop-yard should be covered 

 with manure every Fall, to preserve the roots from the 

 frosts ; but this may probably be the suggestion of those 

 who are often so minutely nice, that their practice is not 

 warranted by the expense. Experience, however, is the 

 best guide in these matters. 



The culture of hops is very profitable. At the price 

 they command in this Country, an acre of them, well culti- 

 vated, will amount to two or three hundred dollars, and the 

 expense, to the acre, of raising them will not be more than 

 one hundred. Nor need the Farmer be fearful of a want 

 of market for them, as they are always a good article for 

 exportation, if not wanted at home. 



HORN-DISTEMPER. See NEAT-CATTLE. 



HORSE. The marks of a good Horse are, a high neck, 

 full breast, a lively eye, a strong back, stiff dock, full but- 

 tocks, ribs reaching near to the hips, good hoofs, and a 

 good gait. 



Something has already been said of Colts, and of the 

 manner in which they ought to be treated while they are 

 acquiring their growth. 

 See FOALS. 



The r.ext point is to treat of them as Horses ; and here a 

 matter of the first consequence is, to break them well. 



The common method of forcibly breaking them is absurd 

 in practice, and often dangerous to him that undertakes it. 

 In this case, as in most others, gentle means are best. 

 First, let a young Horse be tamed by leading with a bridle; 



