44 CULTIVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HOP. 



walk on the surface. The subsoiling may be done with the 

 ordinary plough without the wrest plough, but Reed's subsoil 

 plough is preferable. Sufficient care is not taken when 

 planting hops, and it often occasions much delay. It is too 

 frequently left until the busy season of digging and dressing, 

 when the operation is hurried, and consequently often very 

 badly done. About the middle of February, should the 

 weather permit, is the best time for planting ; the frost after 

 that time is not so likely to draw the seeds as when planted 

 in November (a time some prefer), and there is sufficient time 

 for the soil to close well round the roots before the earth gets 

 dry in the spring. Care should also be taken to provide a 

 mixture of dung and mould to plant in, either on pasture or 

 arable. The proper distance for planting will vary according 

 to sort, soil, and situation. I prefer generally 6 feet 6 inches, 

 but on uplands, rather exposed, where Jones's are intended to 

 be planted and short poles used, 6 feet or 6 feet 3 inches is 

 a preferable distance. Three poles to the hill, 6 feet 6 inches 

 plant, which will give 3090 poles to the acre, will grow more 

 hops, in my opinion, than 6 feet plant with two poles to the 

 hill, 2420 to the acre. The wide plant also has its advan- 

 tages in the expense of tying, cultivation, &c. I much prefer 

 bedded to cut sets, either for pasture or arable land; they 

 are more likely to form a strong hill sooner than cut. Two 

 sets are sufficient for a hill, and are better than more, if they 

 are strong and well rooted. Many planters cut nearly all 

 the roots off in fact, reduce them almost to a cut set. I do 

 not approve of this plan ; I much prefer to plant the set 

 nearly as it is taken up, only tipping the coarse roots, and 

 taking off those that are bruised. Neither is sufficient care 



