ON THE CULTURE OF HOPS, 165 



[From the Transactions of the Agricuhural Society of New-York.] 



A rich, deep soil, rather inclining to moisture, is, on the whole, 

 the best adapted to the cultivation of hops ; but it h observable, 

 that any soil (still" clay only excepted) will suit the growing of hops 

 when properly [)repHred ; and in many parts of Great Britain they 

 use the bog-ground, which is lit for little else. The ground on 

 which hops are to be planted, should be made rich with that kind 

 of manure best suited to the soil, and rendered fine and mellow by 

 bei:ig ploughed deep and harrowed several timi^s. The hills should 

 be at the distance of six or eight foot from each olher. according to 

 the richness of the ground. On ground that is rich, the vines will 

 run the most, the hills must therefore be farthest apart. 



At the first opening of the spring, when the frosts are over, and 

 vegetation begins, sets, or small [ueces of (he roots of hops, must 

 be obtained from hops that are esteemed (he best,* cut oil" from the 

 main stalk or root, six or eight inches in length. Branches, or 

 suckers, most healthy, and of the last year's growth, must be sought 

 for. They may easily be known by their looking whi(e. Two or 

 three joints or buds should be left on each set. 'J'he sets should 

 be put into the ground as soon as taken up. if possible ; if not, they 

 should be wrapped in a cloth, kept in a moist place, excluded from 

 the air. A hole should then be made large aid deep, and filled 

 with rich mellow earth. The sprouts should be set in this earth, 

 with the bud upwards, and the ground pressed close roimd them. 

 If the buds have begun to open, the uppermost must be left just 

 out of the ground ; otherwise, cover it with th.c earth an inch. 

 Two or three sets to a pole will be suilicient, and tliree poles to a 

 hill will be found most productive. Pla^e one of the poles to- 

 wards the north, the other two -at equal distances, about two feet 

 apart. The sets are to be placed in the same manner as the poles, 

 that they may the easier climb. The length of the poles may be 

 from fourteen to eighteen feet, according as the soil is for richness. 

 The poles should be placed inclining towards each other so as to 

 meet at the top, where they may be tied. This is contrary to the 

 European method, but will be found best in America. In this way 

 they will strengthen and support each other, and form so great a 

 defence against the violent gusts of wind to which our climate is 

 frequently subject in the months of July and August, as to prevent 

 their being blown down. They will likewise form a three-sided 

 pyramid, which will have the greatest possible advantage from the 

 sun. It is suggested by experience, that hops which grow near 

 the ground are the best. Too long poles are not good, and care 

 must be taken that the vines do not run beyond the poles ; twist- 

 ing off their tops will prevent it. The best kind of wood for poles 



* Of the different kinds of hops, the long white is most esteemed. It 

 yields the greatest quantity and is most beautiful. The heauty of hops 

 consists in their heing of a pale bright green color. Care n)ust be taken 

 to obtain all of one sort ; but if different Kortsj are used, they must be kept 

 separate in the field ; for there is in different kinds of hrips, a matcririj dif- 

 ference in their time of ripening ; and if intermixed, will occasion extra 

 •'rouble in gathering- 



