MARCH. 103 



they are to be brought from a distance, the expence 

 will be heavy. And lastly, he is not to forget, that 

 after all his expence, attention, and exertions, it is 

 one of the most uncertain and precarious crops that 

 any man can adopt. These circumstances certainly 

 demand his serious attention, however a plenty of 

 hop-poles may tempt him, in some spots, to the 

 speculation. I would advise a \oung farmer to 

 think many times before he determines to under- 

 take it. 



There is one situation in which it may be pru- 

 dent. He who possesses a bog, especially a flat 

 deep bog in a sheltered spot, and yet not too con- 

 fined, may very profitubl) convert it into a hop- 

 ground. A solid, weighty peat-bog, makes an ex- 

 cellent hop soil, when laid into beds by transverse 

 trenches. Such land is a natural dunghill, and will 

 demand such manures as may, perhaps, be easily 

 procured. Here the chances are favourable. 



If such a spot be not chosen, the best prepara- 

 tion of the land for hops, is two successive crops 

 of turnips or cabbages, both fed on the land by 

 sheep, and off early enough for ploughing and 

 planting the land in March. They may be planted 

 in rows at eight feet asunder, and six feet from hill 

 to hill, which will give full space for all the requi- 

 site operations. Three, four, or five fresh cuttings 

 are planted in each hill, or spot which is to form a 

 hill. 



In this month old plantations are dressed, the 

 hills opened, the roots pruned, and mould or com- 



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