230 



million five hundred thousand pounds. The greatest crop 

 grown in the United States, in any one year, is about three 

 millions. Our surplus hops are chiefly sent to the north of 

 Europe, and sometimes to England when their crops fail. 



The above information of the hop culture, given mo by the 

 intelligent and exact inspector of hops in Massachusetts for 

 many years, embodies such full information on this subject 

 that I know it will be read with interest. In England, there 

 are known several different kinds of hops, distinguished by local 

 names, of different qualities, suited to differeiit soils. The plants 

 there are manured every year v\^ith dung, hair, rags, wool- 

 clippings, or lime, but good dung is preferred to every other 

 kind of manure. 



A careful farmer in Littleton is of opinion that the price of 

 hops should be twelve and a half cents, in order to pay ex- 

 penses. Another farmer, in Bedford, is of opinion that they 

 cannot be raised to advantage under fifteen cents per pound. 



An excellent farmer in Littleton, long familiar with the cul- 

 ture of hops, was kind enough to give me the following mem- 

 oranda. The land is to be prepared and planted in corn, 

 excepting every fourth hill, which is to be set with cuttings 

 two in a hill of seven or eight inches in length. It is important 

 to select the best varieties, as hops differ both in quantity and 

 quality. Hops, the flower of which is open and loose, are sub- 

 ject to blast. Hops of small size are not productive. Those 

 which are large and close are to be chosen ; the while vine 

 hops are to be preferred. The cultivation is to go on the same 

 as for corn. The hops are to be poled the second year ; two 

 poles to a hill. Birch poles cost one cent each, and will last 

 two years. When prepared for setting, the cost is two cents 

 each ; and the expense of setting an acre is one day's work, 

 one dollar. In the second year beans may be planted among 

 the hops, but such management is of questionable advantage. 

 He has sometimes obtained six or seven bushels to the acre. 

 It is advisable to cultivate hops exclusively. The hills of hops 

 should be eight feet apart. 



