SEPT.] HOPS. 467 



should not confine himself to his own wastes, of 

 which he may have none, but purchase it of his 

 neighbours, if they are within a tolerable distance. 

 It will answer exceedingly well : he need not there- 

 fore fear paying for it, as for refuse straw. 



STUBBLE. 



This month is the proper time for cutting the 

 wheat and rye stubbles, and raking into heaps, for 

 carting home to the farm-yard for litter, upon the 

 same principles as fern is carted there. This is a 

 business strangely neglected in most parts of the 

 kingdom ; but is nevertheless of great importance : 

 the stubble left on the land is of little advantage as a 

 manure, but it prevents the plough from turning in 

 the land with- neatness, but carted into the farm-yard 

 it becomes an excellent manure. Any sort of litter 

 there is valuable, and serves for the cattle treading 

 into dung. In those parts of the kingdom where 

 this use of stubble is common, the price for cutting 

 and raking into heaps is from 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. per 

 acre; a very small expence, compared with the great 

 advantages that undoubtedly result from it. 



HOPS. 



This is the season for hop-picking. To name it is 

 sufficient in such a work as this, for no prudent man 

 would venture upon so operose a business as this 

 article of culture, by means alone of such informa- 

 tion as he could find in books. Mr. Marshall has 

 treated the subject: in detail ; and many other writers 

 have given information concerning it, from Reginald 

 Scott to the present time. 



H h 



