36 AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. 



coping with these pests. The Kent crop in 1907 reached 8 cwt. per 

 acre, and the average price was 605-. per cwt. The cost of cultivation, 

 including poleing, washing, stringing, picking, drying, and packing, 

 might be put down at ^50 per acre. As to varieties, Scot knew only 

 the wild and the tame hop, whilst the district in which he farmed now 

 grows the Fuggle on the weald clays and the Canterbury Golding and 

 the Brambling Golding on the chalk. The whole area under growth of 

 this crop throughout the country amounted last year to about 

 45,000 acres. 



Of the value of hops as an addition to " mault," he adds : 



For if your ale may endure a fortnig-ht, your " Beere " through the aide of the 

 " Hoppe " shall continue a month, and what grace it yieldeth to the taste all men may 

 judge that have sense in their mouths ; and if the controversy be betwixt Beere and 

 Ale : it sufficeth for the glorie and commendation of the Beere. A good and kindly 

 hoppe beareth a great and green stalk, and appeareth out of the ground naked 

 without leaves until it be half a foot long. Alder poles are best and to be preferred 

 to Ash or Oak. 



He illustrates the various methods of setting the roots, making the 

 hills, and ramming the poles, tying the bine, and the pulling up and 

 preservation of the same, with quaint illustrations. As to the gathering, 

 he says that " they ' blowe ' at Saint Margaret's daye, at Lammas they 

 bell, and ' ware brown ' about Michaelmas." There is also a chapter on 

 hop ostes, the keele, and packing. 



To constitute a perfect platform the author advises ground that is 

 good for the purpose — a convenient standing and a proper quantity. 

 Good land he calls rich, mellow^, and gentle and the situation to have 

 the sun shining upon it the greater part of the day. He advises to have 

 a certain term of the land, lest another man reap the fruit of labour and 

 experience. He recommends the distance of 7ft. or 8ft. between the 

 hills of plants, and two or three roots to be placed in one hole. Four 

 poles — best of alder — are placed in each hole, set as nowadays, and 

 leaning a little outward, one from another. Throughout the work cuts 

 are given of most of the performances, and the book shows a thorough 

 acquaintance with the subject, of which the practice is not very much 

 altered in the present time. See pages 37 and 38. 



