472 Transactions of the American Institute. 



on an average, eighteen pounds to a box of ten bushels. Twined 

 hops will weigh about fifteen pounds ; and you will get a greater 

 number of boxes of hops when the vines are trained on one pole than 

 when they grow on two poles or on twine ; and the hops from the 

 one-pole system will be worth, on an average, two cents per pound 

 more than those which grow on twine, or on two poles per hill. 



The most satisfactory argument is the superiority of the hops 

 themselves. So I herewith send to the club a sample of the " Eng- 

 lish clusters," and also a samj)le of the " New seedlings " raised by 

 myself, which are fully one-third more prolific, and three weeks 

 earlier than the " cluster," and a third larger in size. Please exam- 

 ine them. Mark their delicate flavor and rich golden color. Then 

 let Mr. Whitney's twined hops or two-fold hops excel these, if he can. 



WAEREN FEEPJS. 



The samples, which were exceedingly fine, were then circulated for 

 examination. 



Mr. James A. Whitney. — I have never seen more beautiful hops 

 than these, although there seems to be more brimstone on them than 

 was necessary for hops of so fine a quality as these. These samples 

 are both of a superior quality as far as regards freedom from rust or 

 blight, but is not as strong a hop as is often found. The lupulin, or 

 " hop dust " as farmers term it, is what gives the hop its value, 

 and in this respect the sample is not above a medium grade. A hop 

 that will ripen a fortnight earlier than the " cluster " will be an impor- 

 tant acquisition. In many cases it would be ready for picking before 

 the ravages of the aphis had injured the crop. With regard to the 

 matter of stringing yards, if Mr. Ferris will turn to the report of what 

 was said the other day, he will find that the Colli^is yard was men- 

 tioned only in comparison w^ith other string yards, and what was 

 stated then was substantially correct. The strings are merely sub- 

 ,stitutes for poles ; and, like most substitutes, are not as good as the 

 originals. Two polos to the hill, properly set, is the old method of 

 poling hop yards, and it is the best ; and some of the most practical 

 hop-growers in Otsego county stick in a third pole sometimes, where 

 the hill looks unusually thrifty. Four vines to the hill, is, however, 

 about as much as a single plant or stalk will bear. 



The Chairman. — Do I understand ]\Ir. Whitney to say that sulphur 

 is used as an adulterant in preparing hops for market ? 



Mr. J. A. Whitney. — IS^o, not for adulteration, but to dry and bleach 

 the hops. When the green hops are in the kiln, and in the sweating 



