KITCHEN-GARDENING. 85 



eight feet high at every hill, and attach tarred twine to the 

 tops all over the field. This is called horizontal cultivation. 

 The stakes should be about one and a half inches square, of 

 durable timber, and the whole stake dipped in a trough of coal- 

 tar, to prevent decay and repel insects. 



CULTIVATION AND TRAINING. 



" The after-culture of the Hop consists in stirring the soil, 

 and keeping it free from weeds ; in guiding the shoots to the 

 poles, and sometimes tying them for that purpose with bass 

 or withered rushes ; in eradicating superfluous shoots which 

 may rise from the root, and in raising a small heap of earth 

 over the root to nourish the plant ; although, if the ground be 

 not excessively wet, it is better to hill but little. Rows of 

 Beans may be planted between the rows of Hops, without 

 injury to the crop of Hops. Grass and weeds must be kept 

 subdued by the repeated use of the horse-hoe and hand-hoes, 

 through the entire growing season. 



" Some persons cultivate only a few hills of Hops for the 

 use of their own families ; and the hills are planted near the 

 dwelling, and the vines trained on cords over the window. 

 Sometimes the vines are allowed to run thirty feet high. This 

 is objectionable, as such a great length of vine is produced at 

 the expense of the crop of Hops. After the vines have 

 attained a certain height, if there is no support they will soon 

 cease to run ; and the energies of the plants will be employed 

 in producing Hops. 



" As the Hop is a staminate or male, and pistillate or female 

 plant, if the vines be unproductive, some of the barren hills 

 should be dug up, and others that will bear well set in their 

 places. In field cultivation, the most successful growers of 

 Hops plant about every ninth hill with sets from a staminate 

 or male stalk. By this means all the vines will be fertilized 

 and rendered productive. 



" A person should pass through the field every few days, 

 and aid the vines in twining to their supports. It is a striking 



