112 HOPS. 



If gaps are noticed in the sets about a month after 

 planting it is probable that the plants in such places have 

 succumbed. As, however, deep planting may also be the 

 cause of late sprouting, it is well to carefully scrape away 

 the soil from above the sets in question, and to examine 

 whether they are alive or not. If the former be the case, 

 a little assistance in the shape of removing a portion of the 

 overlying soil will suffice to enable the shoots to quickly 

 make their appearance. Should, however, the sets be 

 found to have rotted or become sickly, there is no other 

 course open but to replace them by others, for which 

 purpose it is necessary to always have a certain number 

 in reserve, planted in a special bed. If these reserve sets 

 have already sprouted they will soon overtake the neigh- 

 bouring plants, provided they are transplanted with care, 

 so as not to disturb the adherent soil or injure their 

 vitality during removal. 



If drought sets in soon after planting, or while the plants 

 are still in an early stage of development, it is advisable to 

 feed the plants with water, or, better still, diluted liquid 

 manure. The nitrogen in the latter stimulates the plants 

 to more vigorous growth ; the production and activity of 

 the roots is assisted, and they soon penetrate deep enough 

 to find sufficient moisture to enable them to withstand 

 drought without injury. 



As soon as the stems attain a height of 20 to 30 inches 

 the plants require hoeing, the superficial loosening of the 

 soil helping to keep the subsoil layers moist, and thereby 

 facilitating root formation. Opinions are somewhat divided 

 as to whether the plant should be trained or left to grow 

 loose the first season. The author believes in the former 

 course, and considers the alternative to be excusable only 

 where the expense of training during the first year is for 

 some reason or other very considerable. 



