CULTIVATION. 81 



. It is thus evident that hops can be cultivated on a large 

 variety of soils, loose, humous, deep, rich, calcareous land 

 being, however, the most suitable for the successful growth 

 of the finer sorts. 



Situation. 



It has already been remarked that the hop plant requires 

 air and warmth. For this reason foggy, dank situations are 

 unsuitable for hop gardens, excessive moisture predisposing 

 to disease. Neither should gardens be planted alongside 

 dusty roads — although dust, like flowers of sulphur, may 

 be useful against attacks of mildew — since the dust is liable 

 to clog the pores of the leaves. 



The hop thrives best on a gentle slope with a southern 

 aspect, sheltered from rough north winds' by hills, woods, or 

 villages ; if planted in exposed situations it suffers greatly 

 from the effects of wind. 



Exceptionally, as at Saaz, where the district is sheltered', 

 by high mountains on the north, hop gardens may be planted 

 on the northern slopes of hilly ground without danger. When 

 the choice is offered between eastern and western slopes, the 

 latter should be selected, on account of the rougher nature 

 of easterly winds. 



Selection of Variety and Cuttings. 



As already mentioned the propagation of the cultivated 

 varieties of hops is nowadays universally effected asejj;ually 

 by cuttings, which are taken in the early part of the year 

 — less frequently in the autumn — and planted out in April 

 or early in May. These cuttings are portions of the per- 

 manent underground stem, measuring, 3 to 4 inches long 

 and about | inch in diameter, and bearing several vigorous 



pairs of eyes. 



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