HOP-HARVEST. 89 



produce. The plants begin to appear about the 

 month of April or May. When they are a few 

 inches above ground, poles, about twenty feet 

 high, are driven in for them to twist themselves 

 upon. The season for the hop -harvest in Eng- 

 land is about the middle of September, but 

 somewhat later with us ; and a busy, bustling 

 time it is in the great hop countries. Men, 

 w^omen, and children, now find plenty to do for 

 some weeks. The method is this: long and 

 large boxes, or baskets, are prepared. The 

 plants are cut off close to the earth, and the 

 poles being pulled out, are laid across those 

 baskets with the binds upon them; the hops 

 are then picked off. 



The next process is collecting and drying 

 them in a kiln; after which they are housed 

 for some days in the stowage rooms ; and, at 

 H 



