SYSTEMS OF CULTIVATION. 



37 



men now follow, dig round the hills, and put a shovelful 

 of soil into each hill this prevents new bines from spring- 

 ing up. 



" Different varieties require different-sized poles. On no 

 account over-pole, as much injury has resulted from it ; 14-foot 

 poles are long enough for any variety except Goldings, and 

 for them I woulJtaot, as a rule, exceed 15 feet. Jones's will 

 do well with 8 feet; Grapes 10 to 12, Cooper's 12, and 

 Mathon's 12 to 14 feet, according to cultivation and quality 

 of land. When your hops are tied, no time should be lost in 

 working them with the nidget or scuffle, followed by the 

 harrow this should be done both ways. All workings 

 should be finished by the 1st of July, certainly by the 10th ; 

 considerable mischief is often done by working too late, 

 unless in years of blight. When you have vermin on 

 your bines, do nothing to your land leave them until the 

 vermin disappear then go in with all your strength, nidget 

 both ways, and do all you can to put fresh vigour into the 

 plant. Some planters manure in the winter, and some both 

 winter and summer ; but this may be carried too far for qua- 

 lity, and produce mould. The plan adopted in summer is to 

 wheel in good dung or compost, take the soil from round the 

 hills, put in the manure, and dig it in ; or spread the compost 

 (which I prefer) round the hills on the surface, and dig in. 

 All that is necessary after is to use your nidget, and harrow 

 both ways, taking care not to pull up the dung. This should 

 complete the work, unless hoeing is required to keep down 

 annuals. 



" Picking commences in early seasons from the 1st to the 

 8th September ; in late ones, from the 15th to the 20th. Before 

 it begins due provision should be made, and everything got in 



