CULTIVATION OF PLANTS. OQ5 



reaches fifteen hundred pounds. The average throughout 

 the tobacco-growing districts, will probably reach a "hogs- 

 head" weighing thirteen hundred and fifty pounds, which 

 is a good crop, and affording sufficient employment for one 

 hand. 



To save the seed allow a few of the strongest plants to pro- 

 duce their flowers; they will have a most beautiful appearance 

 in July and August, and in a favourable season, each plant will 

 ripen in September as much seed as may be necessary for 

 sowing a quarter of an acre, by the drill system of culture, or 

 stock half a dozen acres by transplanting. The large plants 

 require about a square yard each; and in general, four plants 

 will yield a pound of tobacco, though very rich land will yield 

 double the quantity. The diseases and enemies to which this 

 plant is liable, are, in the language of the planter, "worm-holes, 

 ripe-shot or sun-burnt, moon-burnt, house-burnt, stunted in the 

 growth, torn by storms of hail or wind, injured or killed by 

 frost. 7 ' 



During the year ending September 30, 1837, tobacco to the 

 value of five million seven hundred and ninety-five thousand 

 six hundred and forty-seven dollars was exported from the 

 United States to foreign countries. 



n. THE HOP. 



THE Hop, Humulus Lupulus, is a native plant, and is found 

 growing spontaneously on the banks and intervals of many 

 of our large rivers. It has been cultivated for its flowers, which 

 are used for giving a better flavour to beer, and also for pre- 

 serving it, as well as for various other purposes, though the 

 first mentioned is the principal one. It is a perennial rooted 

 plant, with an annual twining stem, which, on poles or in 

 hedges, will reach the height of from twelve to twenty-five 

 feet. There are several varieties. 



The hop is raised from slips taken from the stem, or from 

 sets taken from the root. They are planted either in autumn 

 or in spring, but the latter season is most generally preferred. 

 The plant is in full bearing in its third year; and a plantation, 

 if properly attended to, judiciously located, and on good soil, 

 will yield profitable returns for twelve to eighteen years, when 

 it must be renewed; the old plants being grubbed up and fresh 

 sets planted. The slips or sets are obtained from the pruning 

 of the old plantation, or from the roots. Each slip should con- 

 18 



