MISCELLANEOUS CROPS 637 



Setting the Roots. In California practically all new hops are 

 now set out in rows at a distance of 6% to 7 feet apart each way. 

 When set 6 l /2 feet apart, there will be 1,031 hills to the acre and 42 1 /4 

 square feet of soil to the plants of each hill ; when set 7 feet apart, 

 there will be 889 hills per acre and 49 square feet of soil to the plants 

 of each hill. In Oregon and "Washington, where two horses are used 

 in cultivating, the distance between rows is usually 8 feet, requiring 

 but 680 plants per acre. 



The methods of cultivating the hop yards necessitate straight 

 rows. Three and often four cuttings are set in each hill. Differ- 

 ences of opinion and practice exist, and the number which it is ad- 

 visable to set is in a measure dependent on the system of training em- 

 ployed and the cost of roots. The setting of a fourth root is a meas- 

 ure of precaution against the possibility of loss by rotting or injury 

 of one or more of the cuttings after they are set out. 



A good method of setting the roots is first to mark the center of 

 each hill by a small stake, to which are to be attached the strings on 

 which the vines are to run ; then, about this stake to make three holes 

 forming roughly the apexes of an equilateral triangle with a side 

 measuring about 6 inches. These holes are usually made with a dib- 

 ble, but in very compact soils an iron crowbar is frequently used. 

 The roots are then placed singly in these holes in an upright posi- 

 tion, with the buds pointing upward, at such a depth that they will 

 be from 1 inch (in Oregon) to 3 inches (in California) below the 

 surface of the soil, which is then slightly tamped about them. An- 

 other method is to make a hole with a spade at the location of the 

 hill and to plant therein from one to four roots, according to their 

 strength. This is the more rapid method but is less desirable, since 

 the roots are crowded together and are more subject to decay. The 

 price of roots is quite variable, ranging from $1 per 1,000 when 

 they are plentiful to from $8 to $10 per 1,000 in years when they 

 are scarce. 



Cultivating. Thorough cultivation is important and should 

 begin early and continue until the plants are well armed out. This 

 is necessary not only to keep down the weeds, but also to prevent the 

 topsoil from forming a crust and becoming hard, for when it is in 

 this state the moisture of the undersoil rises to the surface and evap- 

 orates quickly. The frequent stirring of the topsoil to a depth of 2 

 or 3 inches will produce a layer of finely divided soil which con- 

 serves the moisture near the surface, where it is more readily reached 

 by the young feeding roots which develop at about the time the hops 

 go into the burr. If these small feeding roots are destroyed or seri- 

 ously injured by late cultivation, growth will be checked and early 

 ripening favored. Careful growers agree that the young buds do not 

 set so well if the feeding roots are seriously disturbed, and that the 

 crop is shorter in consequence. Nevertheless, if the soil is becoming 

 hard and the moisture is readily evaporating, it may be best, at least 

 in dry sections, to cultivate and depend upon a second growth of the 

 feeding roots for the proper maturing of the crop. The existing soil 

 conditions must determine the advisability of cultivating after the 

 appearance of the feeding roots. 



