farmers' miscellany. b/ 



inished, the next step is to set the poles, using for this purpose an 



nstrumont like a common bar, but which bulges out into an oval 



brra at the lower end, the largest part of which is about two inches 



a diameter. Two poles, about fourteen to sixteen feet long, are 



lequired for each hill, and they are set about eighteen inches apart. 



phe combined strength of both is necessary to support the weight 



jf the vine securely. The hop comes up in numerous shoots, and 



j/hen some of them are eighteen inches they require to be well 



loedj and at the same time two of the most thrifty are secured to 



ach pole by a woollen thread ; the others are suffered to grow a 



mile, or until the cultivator is sure that the two selected will 



irove to be good vines, or have escaped some dangers incident to 



le young state. The other vines are then broken off at the root, 



1- lour only allowed to grow. Usually the proper time for ex- 



rpating the supernumerary shoots is when the selected ones arc 



X to eight feet long ; these then receive the whole strength of 



le root. The weather most favorable for the growth of the hop 



tliat which is warm and showery. Cold, dry winds are unfa- 



jiable, or those which have now for some time prevailed. 



The hop requires hoeing five times in the season. It must be 



■pt free of weeds ; and this you will see is quite essential, as ne 



ecds ought to ripen in fields which are cultivated for successive 



asons. The best poles are white cedar, and they should be two 



ul a half to three inches in diameter at base. Such poles cost 



cm ten to twelve dollars per hundred. 



The time for picking hops is when the flower is perfect. The 



oma and medicinal properties of herbs are in perfection at this 



age, and so is grass, which is the true and proper time for cutting, 



secure it in its highest state of perfection. In the case of hops 



IS quite essential that the whole crop should be secured while in 



is state. In large vineyards, therefore, many hands are required 



secure it before it passes the perfect stage. The picking is 



ually performed by females, and this part of the work requires 



tlncss J stems and leaves or vines should not be mixed with the 



■To secure the necessary neatness as well as uniformity in pick 

 i^', Mr. Avery uses a large wooden box divided into four equal 

 'mpartments; the box is supplied with four arms, one at each 

 < rner, for transportation. 



