116 HOPS. 



some places near Saaz, particularly in wet or heavy ground, 

 the separate hillock system is in vogue. On the other hand 

 ridge culture is practised almost exclusively in the Auscha 

 and Dauba districts, as well as in Moravia, northern Styria, 

 Hungary, Posen, Wiirtemburg, Bavaria, Eussia, Galicia and 

 the United States. A comparison of the systems of ridging 

 pursued in the various countries named will, however, show 

 that there is no uniformity as regards the height of the lands. 

 In Auscha, Dauba, Neutomischl and Spalt they are pitched 

 rather steep — about 27 inches in the two last-named districts ; 

 whereas in northern Styria, Galicia, Hungary, Eussia and 

 elsewhere the general average is 12 to 16 inches. 



If the causes (apart from custom) of these differences be 

 traced they will quickly be found to rest on specific local 

 conditions of soil and climate, and on the situation of the 

 gardens. In low-lying spots, on damp and compact soils, as 

 well as on such as are rich in humus, it is difficult to 

 dispense with ridges unless other means be taken for 

 regulating the removal of water; but they are superfluous 

 on light land — in fact, in view of the behaviour of this class, 

 of soil towards water, its natural poorness in moisture, and 

 the thirsty nature of the hop plant, ridges would not only be 

 useless but also injurious. 



The method of cultivation also stands in causative con- 

 nection with the climate as well as the kind of soil. Thus, 

 given similarity of soil, a wet district will need ridge or 

 hillock cultivation, whilst in drier quarters preference should, 

 be given to working on the flat. It is therefore evident that 

 a single method of cultivation suitable under all conditions is 

 out of the question ; consequently all the factors capable of 

 influencing the well-being of the hop plant will have to be 

 considered before a decision is taken as to the method to be 

 adopted. Nevertheless, although the matter may appear 

 somewhat complicated to a beginner, the experienced 



