110 HOPS. 



In reviewing the foregoing particulars it is evident that, 

 for reasons of economy, it is better to plant only one set in 

 each hole, and take the risk of having to fill up any eventual 

 blanks, than to pay out two or three times the initial outlay 

 for sets. Even when the latter are home grown single 

 planting is advisable. 



The sets are planted in such a manner tha,t the upward 

 pointing buds are in a vertical position. To facilitate striking, 

 tlie thin covering of earth drawn over them from the side, 

 with the hand or hoe, is pressed moderately tight against 

 the sets, and the top is then covered over v/ith about 1^ 

 to 2 inches of soil (Fig. 27). 



The head of the set should be about 4 to 6 inches below 

 the level of the ground, so as to be covered with about the 



Pig. 27.— Planted set. 



same depth of soil when the garden has been levelled. In 

 light land the sets should be planted rather deeper than in 

 heavy ground. If only a very thin layer of earth covers 

 the set numerous inconveniences arise. In the first place, 

 experience shows that there is then a tendency to produce 

 lateral runners in the roots, which draw away a not incon- 

 siderable proportion of the nutrient matter absorbed from 

 the soil, as well as that elaborated in the green organs of 

 the plant, on which account they have been very properly 

 termed "robbers". In addition to this, the stocks from 

 cuttings originally planted somewhat shallow will in course 

 of time, by successive cutting every year — whereby a portion 

 of the last year's bine is always left — reach so near the 



