542 
Management of Hoj)s. 
consequence which mode the planter adopts ; but as hops are a 
cultivation attended with a very considerable expense, every little 
saving (and particularly when it is of benefit to them) that can be 
effected should be attended to. 
In planting triangular, I should not recommend more hills to 
be planted on an acre than if square, but at a greater distance, 
so as to have about the same number to an acre. The following 
table will show the number of hills on an acre of square plant, and 
triangular, at the same distances, and the difference : — 
Square. Triangular. DifTerence. 
6 Feet distance between the hills . 1210 hills . 1400 hills . 196 hills. 
6 „ 3 inches „ . 1117 „ . 1296 „ . 179 „ 
6 „ 6 „ „ . 1031 „ . 1194 „ . 163 „ 
6 „ 9 „ „ . 957 „ . 1103 „ . 146 „ 
7 „ „ . 889 „ . 1025 „ . 136 „ 
The distance that is best depends on the soil and sort of hops 
planted ; some soils are more productive of bine than others, and 
so are some varieties of hops ; therefore, where it is intended to 
plant Golding, Canterbury, or Colegate hops, as they produce 
more bine, they require longer poles, and should be planted at a 
greater distance ; or on deep-moulded rich soils there will be a 
greater production of bine, from all varieties, than on thinner 
and poorer soils. About 1200 hills per acre* are as many as there 
ought to be for the least biny soils and sorts, if it is intended not 
to exceed 3 poles to a hill ; or if it is intended for 4 poles to a 
hill there should not be more than 1000 hills to an acre; the 
more biny sorts and soils from 1000 to 900 hills, 3 poles to a 
hill ; for in no case would I recommend 4 poles to a hill for that 
description. 
The planter, having prepared his ground, fixed upon the sort 
he intends planting, and made up his mind as to distance, is to 
set out the hills, which is most accurately done at first with a 
chain, and not depend on a line of small cord, or string, as many 
do ; for, as a line will stretch or shrink, as the atmosphere is damp 
or dry, the hills will be inaccurate as to distance and the rows 
winding. The better plan is first to set out with chains (two 
land-measuring chains will answer the purpose very well), to set 
out distances of 9 or 10 hills, as there may be length of chain, 
putting down sticks, which we will term station-sticks, all over 
the ground at that distance, and then with a line marked with 
feathers, or coloured worsted, or something equally conspicuous, 
at the distance the hills are intended to be, and of a length equal 
* In naming round numbers, I mean such distances in the table above 
as approach nearest in number of hills per acre to those round numbers 
named. 
