232 HOPS. 



There are several methods of drying :t— 



1. In the open air, either in the sun or in the shade. 



2. Indoors : 



(a) Ordinary floor drying. 



(b) Drying on hurdles or frames, either on a well- 



ventilated floor or in special drying sheds. , 



(c) Drying by the aid of artificial heat in hop kilns. 

 Drying in the open air is practised in Eussia and occa- 

 sionally in other districts as well, but is not an advisable 

 method ; because, in the first place, it places the grov/er at 

 the mercy of the weather, and, secondly, the necessary turn- 

 ing of the cones on the cloths or hurdles on which they are 

 spread results in a great loss of lupulin. Besides, prolonged 

 exposure to sunlight spoils the beautiful yellow-green colour 

 of the hops. 



If open-air drying is a matter of necessity, then it should, 

 at least, be carried on in the shade. Under these conditions 

 the colour is retained better, and there is less waste of lupulin, 

 since the bracts do not open. Whichever method be em- 

 ployed, drying must be regarded as complete when the stalks 

 can be easily broken, without being brittle. An experienced 

 man, however, can tell whether the hops are dry or not by 

 inspection alone. 



Drying on a well-ventilated floor, though scarcely an 

 ideal method, is at any rate better than open-air drying, 

 since it, at least, render^ the grower independent of the 

 weather, unless large quantities are to be treated. In the 

 case of large hop plantations there will rarely be sufficient 

 room or floor space available for floor drying, and in such 

 event drying on hurdles, or, better still, in kilns, is more 

 suitable. 



In floor drying the hops are spread out on the floor in 

 layers of 1| to 2 inches thick, and are stirred and turned two 

 or three times a day. According to the degree of ventilation 



