144 HOPS. 



future form a new young stock. This cut is practised under 

 the following circumstances : — 



(i) If a stock that is already several years of age bears 

 only a smgle stem, this is an indication of something ab- 

 normal in the development of the stock and points to some 

 enfeebling injury caused by insect or human agency.^ Should 

 careful examination fail to reveal the existence of any putre- 

 faction or mechanical injury, but, as is usual, a number of 

 subsidiary shoots, the single stem is cut so as to leave one 

 internode, or two in the absence of the basal eyes, i.e., a 

 total of four to six buds. On the other hand, if the stock 

 is found to be injured or rotten in any place, it must then 

 be treated as one that is diseased, and, if sound enough to 

 be of any good at all, must be left with three internodes on 

 the stem. 



(ii) Rootstocks that are weak in the stems and lateral 

 roots and without subsidiary shoots, though free from 

 wounds or rot, are evidently defectively nourished. They 

 are,, however, seldom found alone, being generally in groups 

 in poorer parts of the hop garden. A good dressing of 

 manure is the only remedy. In cutting stocks of this kind 

 the two strongest stems are selected (provided more than 

 this number are present), and the rest taken off close against 

 the butt. It is rare that well-developed eyes are met with 

 at the base of the stems in these impoverished stocks, and 

 for this reason the two selected, stems are cut off above the 



1 In such oases the cause may be attributable to carelessness in training or 

 tying the bine, or to perforation or gnawing on the part of wire-worms or 

 canker-worms, or to an accidental combination of the two evils. Unskilled 

 labolirers are liable to take hold of the young bine by the tip, thus breaking 

 ofi the heads, and then, in order to conceal the damage, pluck the injured 

 bine right off. If the stock in question only puts forth a few shoots it may 

 happen' finally that only a single one is left. Under such circumstances the 

 stock may still keep sound, though it will usually be found weakened by tha 

 excessive obstruction of sap, and it is but rarely that such single stems develop 

 ■With any great vigour. 



