The Cultivation of Hops. 
121 = 461 
ct the young plants. Occasionally hops are produced in the first 
■ar if the plants are stimulated by large applications of manure, 
if the land is in high condition ; but it is better that they 
ould not bear until the second year. Most of the hop-land in 
ngland is dug in the autumn and winter by men who use 
" spud,"' which is a three-pronged fork with broad points, and 
peculiar to the hop districts, at a cost of from 18s. to 24s. per 
re. 
Ploughing is adopted Fig. 1. — The Spud. 
some growers, and is 
ne with a small plough 
awn by horses in the 
eys, between the rows 
plants that are clear of 
' lines of poles stacked 
the winter, which look 
e wigwams ; the spaces between these stacks, as well as between 
' hills at right angles with the plough-line, are dug by hand, 
lis costs as much as digging, and is only resorted to when the 
)rk is behindhand, or when labourers are scarce. A machine Hop-digging 
pressly suited for digging hop-land has been recently invented machine. 
Mr. Knight, of Farnham. This machine consists of a frame 
on four wheels ; those in the front, which are smaller than the 
leels behind, taking a portion of the weight, but being chiefly 
id for steerage purposes. The wheels behind carry the greater 
ire of the weight and propel the machine, being driven by an 
right shaft set in motion by a grooved, horizontal driving- 
leel, connected with a 6-horse portable engine by a high-speed 
"d running on pulleys. The digging is performed by a series 
forks like " spuds," fixed to vertical rods that are fastened 
on a crank-shaft of three throws, in connection with the 
ving-shaft. By the action of these forks, the movement of 
■ human arm using a spade is admirably imitated, and the 
1 is well moved and disintegrated by them. About 4 acres 
lay can be dug by this machine, at a cost of from 12s. to 15s. 
■ acre, according to the estimate of the inventor. At their 
aw at Wolverhampton in 1871, the Council of the Royal 
ricultural Society of England offered a prize for the best hop- 
rging machine to supersede manual labour on hop-land, but 
s prize was not awarded as there was no implement in the 
npetition that possessed sufficient merit. 
in the early spring season the hop-plants are dressed directly Dressing and 
soil is dry enough to work. All the old bines and fibrous P°1'"S- 
iwth* of the previous year are cut away, and the hills are 
"Sets" from which plants are raised are taken from this fibrous growth, 
eh is encouraged by those who wish to have good " cut " sets, by earthing the 
3 in the autumn, or covering them with earth. 
