202 



HOP 



HOP 



be regulated by the strength of the 

 soil. But in every case they should 

 be far enough asunder to admit the 

 hoe plough at all times. If the soil 

 be dry and shallow, six or seven 

 feet will be a convenient distance : 

 But if it be rich, moist, and apt to 

 bear large hops, it may be right to 

 allow eight or nine feet. 



The time to plant hops is when 

 they begin to shoot in the spring. 

 The sets are cuttings from the 

 roots, or branches which grow from 

 the main root. They should be 

 from five to seven inches long,with 

 three or more joints or buds on 

 each, all the old and hollow part 

 being cut otT. Make holes twelve 

 or sixteen inches wide, and of a 

 depth proportioned to the nature 

 of the ground. If shallow, with 

 hard clay or gravel under, dig not 

 into it, lest you make a basin to 

 retain water ; but raise a small hill 

 of good mould. If there is a good 

 depth of rich mellow mould, dig 

 the hole a foot and a half, or two 

 feet deep ; the hops will thrive the 

 better. 



When all things are ready for 

 planting, till up the holes with the 

 mould before thrown out, if it be 

 good ; but if the same earth be not 

 rich enough, make use of fine fresh 

 mould, or of a compost provided 

 for the purpose, a peck in each 

 hill, but no dung on any accotmt. 



Then with a setting stick make 

 five or six holes, one in the middle 

 perpendicular, and the rest round 

 it sloping, and meeting at the to[> 

 near the centre. Put in the sets so 

 that they may stand even with the 

 surface, press the mould close to 

 them,and cover them with fine mould 



two or three inches thick. A stick 

 should be placed on each side of 

 the hill to secure it. 



The ground being thus planted, 

 all that is to be done in the follow- 

 ing summer is to keep the hills and 

 alleys clear of weeds by frequent 

 hoeings, to dig the ground in May, 

 and carry off the stones raised by 

 digging ; to raise a small hill about 

 the plants, and throw some mould 

 on the roots, and in May or Jurie to 

 twist all the vines and branches to- 

 gether in a loose knot,and lay them 

 thus twisted on the top of the 

 hill. 



Early in the following spring, 

 when the weather is fine, open the 

 hills, and cut off the shoots of the 

 first year, within an inch of the 

 stock, together with the younger 

 suckers that have sprung from the 

 sets, and cover the stock with fine, 

 earth. 



in the third and following years, 

 when you dig your hop ground, let 

 the earth be taken away with a 

 spade or hoe, round about the hills, 

 very nearthem,that you may more 

 conveniently come at the stork, to 

 cut it. Then in fair weather, if 

 your hops be weak, begin ti» dress 

 them : But if strong, do it later ; 

 for dressing late restrains their too 

 early springing, which hurts the 

 hop. 



After dressing in the second year, 

 the next thing is to pole them. — 

 Poles ten or twelve feet long will 

 do then : But in the third year, 

 when they come to their full hear- 

 ing slate, they will require poles 

 of full size : This, if the ground be 

 rich, and the hop vit'orous, will be 

 from sixteen to twenty feet ; or 



