CHAPTER XIII. 



HOPS. 



The Soil. The hop is planted on various soils, and 

 chiefly in valleys. They are generally of the best qual- 

 ity on strong clay land : the crop, however, there is very 

 precarious. Those on peat are much more productive ; 

 but are liable to be affected by the mould in some seasons, 

 which reduces their value considerably. The best plan- 

 tations are on a deep loamy soil, where the produce of 

 the latter and the quality of the former are sometimes ob- 

 tained. Those which are grown on sandy and gravelly 

 lands, are seldom remarkable for either gremt produce or 

 quality. The best situation for a plantation is a southern 

 aspect, well shaded on three sides either by hills or tim- 

 ber. 



Manuring. In the winter, the manure should be pro- 

 vided for the hop-ground fo>* the following spring. If the 

 dung be rotten, mix with two or three parts of common 

 earth, and let it incorporate together till there is occasion 

 to use it in making the hop hills ; but if it be new dung, 

 then let it be mixed as before till the spring in the next 

 year, for new dung is very injurious to hops. Hops re- 

 quire to be planted in a situation so open, that the air may 

 freely pass between and round them to dry up and dissi- 

 pate the moisture, which often destroys the middle of large 

 plantations, while the outsides remain unhurt. The hills 

 should be seven or eight feet apart . If the ground be 

 intended to be ploughed with horses between the hills, it 

 will be best to plant them in squares, chequerwise ; but 



