68 PLAIN AND PLEASANT TALK 



CULTURE OF HOPS. 



We shall state such facts as are within our reach, and 

 leave each one to make his own calculations. 



The Hop Plant. — ^The hop belongs to the natural order, 

 Urticea3, or the nettle and hemp family. Its root is peren- 

 nial ; its stem annual, twining to the height of from fifteen 

 to twenty feet. They bear male and female flowers on 

 different plants, and the female is the only one used for 

 planting. 



Soil. — ^Rich, friable clay, and hearty loams, and vege- 

 table molds are the best soils. A wet subsoil is fatal to their 

 health. Any rich, light, dry (but not droughty) soil suits 

 them. A large crop may be obtained from our rich allu- 

 vions, or bottom lands ; but although uplands yield a less 

 crop, the quality is regarded as decidedly superior. A wet 

 clay subsoil is not good. 



Planting. — Plants are set out in rows six to eight feet 

 apart and six to eight feet from hill to hill in the row. 

 Rooted plants, but more frequently cuttings from old 

 plants are employed ; five or six being planted to the hill. 

 Poles from fifteen to twenty feet in length are placed to 

 each hill. In England from three to six and even eight are 

 placed to each hill. But three is about the average number. 



IIakvest, — No crop is more variable than this ; the yield 

 per acre ranging according to the season from 300 to 2,000 

 lbs. On rich bottom lands 2,000 lbs. may be not unfre- 

 quontly raised; but on an average, from VOO to 1,000 lbs. 

 may be reckoned. 



The plants bloom in July and are ready for harvest by 

 the first of September. It is necessary i gather them 

 promptly, as they soon deteriorate if allowed to remain 

 after they are ripe. As soon as gathered they are kiln- 

 dried, then placed from ten days to two weeks to cool, and, 

 finally, they are baled for market. 



General Considerations. — A plantation will last in fuU 



