640 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



To permit easier access to the field, posts are frequently placed 

 at the ends of alternate rows only. The string wires of the rows 

 without end posts are then either run over the end cross wire to the 

 ground and anchored or they are forked and fastened to the end 

 posts on each side. For the principal or cross wires running across 

 the field the shortest way and fastened on the top of each post with 

 heavy staples No. annealed iron wire is used. These wires are 

 keyed up taut and fastened securely to anchors at each end. For 

 the other or string wires Nos. 6 to 8 annealed iron wires may be used. 

 On the latest improved or drop-wire trellis the string wires are held 

 in. place underneath the cross wire by short S-hooks made of No. 2 

 wire. At picking time the string wires may be unhooked and let 

 down, thus bringing the hops within easy reach of the pickers. This 

 trellis can usually be erected at a cost of $80 to $90 an acre, and 

 twine for supporting the vines necessitates an annual expenditure of 

 about $5 an acre. 



In another successful form of this system an additional wire, 

 known as the "breast wdre," runs over each row below and parallel to 

 the string wire at a height of about 6 feet from the ground. The 

 strings rise vertically to the breast wire ; then they are taken on the 

 slope to the top or string wire, which is above the next row of hills. 

 The angle of the sloping string is affected by the distance between 

 the rows as well as by the height of the breast wire. The steeper the 

 slope the better the growth of the vine. At half slope hand training 

 will be necessary, but a flat slope gives better exposure to the sun and 

 increases productiveness. 



The Low Trellis. The low form of trellis appears in several 

 modifications. In one form poles about 8 feet long are set at each 

 hill. Over the tops of the poles wires are run the full length of the 

 yard each way, crossing at right angles. The vines are led up the 

 poles or stakes and then find support on the wires. In many cases 

 stout twine is used instead of wire, and in some instances the poles 

 are set at every third hill. 



Except in situations swept by strong winds, the high trellis is 

 much more satisfactory. It is a permanent structure which gives 

 easy access for teams to every part of the yard. The hops receive 

 more uniform exposure to light and air and are in consequence bet- 

 ter developed. Cultivation is not interfered with by drooping arms 

 so much as in the low-trellis system. The hops can be readily sprayed 

 even at picking time, when the worst attacks of lice are likely to 

 occur. Since a hop vine will not follow a horizontal support, when 

 it reaches the wire or string of the low trellis it must be trained by 

 hand, thus materially increasing the cost of cultivation. 



SYSTEMS OF TRAINING. 



Stringing. Where the high-wire trellis is employed, cotton cord 

 is used to form supports for the vines until they reach the wires. 

 The string consists of two portions knotted together; one, a cord 4 

 feet long having a breaking strain of 80 pounds, is attached to the 

 wire, and the other, a cord 15 feet long having a breaking strain of 

 20 pounds, is tied to a small stake set in the hill. The smaller cord 

 is strong enough to support the vine until it reaches the heavier cord 



