THE HOP PLANT. 49 



The only ways to obtain protection against damage by 

 the elements are by setting the plants in the outer rows 

 close together, choosing a sheltered position for the hop 

 garden, and finally by insuring against hailstorms. 



It should also be mentioned that young hop shoots are not 

 infrequently injured by late frosts. An approved method of 

 prevention in this case is the old established practice of 

 building a smoky fire every evening close to the hop garden, 

 the resulting clouds of smoke forming an insulating layer 

 which helps to retain the heat stored up in the ground during 

 the day, and which commences to radiate directly the sun 

 goes down. That this object is effected is evident from the 

 fact that the stratum of air below the smoke cloud is always, 

 warmer than that above. 



The best materials for these smoky fires are such as gives 

 off a good deal of smoke when burning, e.g., leaves, fir or- 

 pine faggots, moss, potato haulm, etc. 



The frequent recurrence of fogs is injurious to the hop, 

 mould fungi being not only more prevalent but also more 

 actively destructive in seasons and localities where fogs are 

 plentiful. It has also been noticed that the shape of the 

 cones is affected by fog, their structure being of a looser 

 character, and their beauty and value diminished. 



Vegetable Enemies of the Hop. 



Of all the cryptogamous parasites infesting the hop plant 

 two only are the cause of any serious anxiety : — 



1. The black brand or smut, Fumago salicina Tul. (Glado- 

 sporium Fumago Link., Torula Fumago Ghev., Fumago vagans 

 Pers., Gapnodium salicinum Mont.). 



2. The white mould, Podosphara or Sphcerotheca Gas- 



tagnei Ldv. (Erysiphe Dipsacearum Tul., E. Humuli Lk., E. 



macularis Schlechtend., Mucus Erysiphe L.). 



4 



