THE EMIGRANT'S HAND-BOOK. 337 



But to form a new plantation, the best method is to have 

 the cuttings from approved stock, planted out the year be 

 fore they are wanted, in the hop ground ; as the use of 

 plants instead of cuttings, not only gains a year, but they are 

 more certain to flourisn. A small piece of moist land is 

 sufficient to raise plants for many acres, and at a little ex- 

 pense. If the ground be new, thoroughly subdue it previous 

 to planting. Work the land with a spade, and set it out 

 into ridges three and a half yards wide, and two yards be- 

 tween each. Three rows of plants, or as they are termed 

 hills, are made upon each ridge, which should intersect 

 each other. They are generally two yards distant in the 

 rows ; so that about thirteen hundred are the usual num- 

 be of hills in a statute acre. 



Poling. Small sticks are proper to tie the binds up to, 

 the first year ; then small poles for a year or two ; the 

 size of which should be gradually increased. Some set 

 two poles to every hill, which is proper for ground pro. 

 ducing a luxuriant growth ; but on clay land, three poles 

 should be set in a triangular form to the hills, on the outside 

 rows of each ridge, and only two in the middle row. Ma- 

 ny additional poles, longer than the rest, catch-poles, are 

 also set up to take the binds as they run beyond the les- 

 ser poles. Where the bind is weak, three heads are com- 

 monly trained up each pole ; though two are better if 

 strong. 



Cleaning the ground. If the ground intended for a new 

 plantation is not clear from couch-grass and weeds, a com- 

 plete fallow is essential, whether it is grass or stubble ; 

 and a crop of turnips may be taken to advantage, if the 

 land be proper for their growth, and can be made clean, 

 as the hops will be planted in the spring. 



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