SECRETARY'S REPORT. 105 



and Sussex hop plantations to see as many as two thousand five 

 hundred or three thousand poles to the acre. Sixteen or eighteen 

 feet is as long as it is thought best to use them by many English 

 growers, and it is not uncommon to see them from ten to 

 twelve, or fourteen, feet; and the reason given for using 

 short poles is, that the use of poles longer than the natural 

 growth of the plant coaxes it too high, and stimulates it be- 

 yond its strength, and causes a feebleness in its roots the next 

 year; while, if the poles used are found in summer to be too 

 short, the tops of the vines may be supported by others. The 

 usual time for poling hops with us is in May; for plants grown 

 from cuttings, the second year of their growth; and for 

 plants grown from seed, the third year. The poles, two in a 

 hill, eighteen inches apart, are usually inclined a little outwards, 

 at the top, and towards the south, in order to give the greatest 

 freedom of circulation to the air, secure greater sunlight, and 

 a greater chance for the vines to swing free from the poles ; 

 and unless this inclination is given the tops of the poles, the 

 vines are said to "browse; " that is, they become matted to- 

 gether and injured, and are much more liable to blast. And 

 the same objection exists to the use of more than two poles to 

 a hill ; the vines are more apt to " browse. 1 ' Cedar, hem- 

 lock, spruce, ash, chestnut, maple, pine, willow, and other kinds 

 of poles are often used, and in some locations in this State 

 the birch is not uncommon in hop grounds. This latter is con- 

 sidered bad in England. In many localities birch poles are 

 cheaper, and far more easily procured ; though, for lightness, 

 beauty, and durability, the cedar or the hemlock are preferred 

 by those who can procure them without too great expense. 

 The American hop seems to prefer to cling to a white birch. 

 The main objection to this wood is its rapid decay, making it 

 unsafe to use it more than one year. Perhaps, on the whole, if 

 the birch is not used and renewed every year, the spruce is the 

 neatest and cheapest, considering its lightness and durability. 

 It will last five or seven years, or even longer, and, when the 

 bottom is decayed, may be cut off and used shorter. The num- 

 ber to the acre will of course depend upon the number of hills, 

 which arc usually at least from six to eight feet apart, making from 

 fix teen to eighteen hundred poles to the acre. The farmer 



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