MISCELLANEOUS CROPS 635 



While hops may be grown under very different climatic condi- 

 tions, they are produced most successfully in the milder regions, 

 where abundant early rainfall is followed by warm dry weather as 

 the crop approaches maturity. In the Yakima Valley, Washington, 

 where the rainfall is very scanty, irrigation is necessary. The hop 

 plant readily adapts itself to very different conditions of rainfall, 

 but when the harvest months August and September are accom- 

 panied by much rainfall the crop frequently suffers heavy damage 

 from lice and mold. 



Soil. The selection of the best soil on which to grow the hop 

 plant involves the consideration of several factors, depending on the 

 peculiarities of the plant itself and the physical conditions of the 

 region in which the land lies. In general, rich alluvial lands or 

 deep sandy or gravelly loams are preferred for hop raising. The soil 

 with a high percentage of sand is readily tillable, while the cultiva- 

 tion of a stiff soil is difficult and expensive. Owing to variations in 

 the rainfall, amount of sunshine, and force of the prevailing winds, 

 land suitable for hop culture in one region would be entirely unsuit- 

 able if located in another. Since the roots of the hop plant pene- 

 trate the earth for a distance of many feet, a well-drained subsoil is 

 essential. Especial attention must be given to the depth, fertility, 

 drainage, and fineness of the soil. Heavy wet soils are avoided and 

 stiff clayey soils are in general disfavor. 



PROPAGATION. 



Propagation From Seed. Hop plants may be raised from the 

 seeds, but this method is seldom employed, since by using cuttings 

 strong plants are more easily and quickly secured. Moreover, seed- 

 lings nave a tendency to vary greatly, both as to the time of matur- 

 ing the hops and the quality of the product. Yards planted with 

 eeedlings usually show little uniformity in the variety of hops pro- 

 duced and in the time of ripening. Except in certain localities, seed- 

 lings will not produce hops the first year, and even in the second year 

 only a small yield may be expected. 



Use of Cuttings. The simplest method of growing hop vines 

 is from root cuttings, also called roots or sets. In some localities 

 roots that have been in the nursery for one year are called "sets." 

 The numerous runners sent out by the hop plant just below the sur- 

 face of the ground are removed when the plants are pruned in the 

 spring, and these, cut into pieces each bearing at least two sets of 

 eyes or buds, are used to produce new plants. In some sections of 

 the Pacific coast a crop may be obtained from cuttings planted in the 

 spring, but in general a full crop is not harvested until the second 

 year. 



The best cuttings are those taken from young plants, as they 

 are more resistant to disease and should be more productive than 

 those from old plants. All cuttings should be carefully inspected 

 before planting and the diseased or damaged ones rejected. 



Originating New Varieties. The important subject of orig- 

 inating new varieties, as well as the no less promising one of im- 

 proving existing varieties, merits the attention of every hop grower. 

 The plants of every field are more or less variable. Some bear more 



