108 



HOPS. 



though the roots of the different sets become closely inter- 

 twined and the projecting rootstock is apparently homo- 

 geneous, there can be no question of an actual fusion of the 

 sets or their roots, and a close examination will always 

 show that the individuality of the plants has been maintained 

 and can be clearly discerned. Thus there will be two or 

 three independent plants, from which eventually only two 

 or three stems will be required for training, and consequently 



Fig. 25. — Pointed mattock. 



Fig. 26. — Broad mattock. 



the presence of the additional shoots merely entails extra 

 expense and labour in removing same. Therefore, even if 

 planting two or more sets in each hole were advisable in 

 the first place, the superfluous plants should be got rid of 

 at the time of the first or second cutting. 



No doubt the avoidance of replanting defective stocks 

 is an advantage that cannot be lightly dismissed. Never- 

 theless, a simple calculation of the cost will reveal that 



