344 
Cultivation and 31anagement of Hops. 
performed by a three-pronged " spud " or fork, as shown 
in the illustration, with a handle like a spade ; if this is 
done in a workman- 
like manner, it is a 
thoroughly satisfactory 
operation, and as cheap 
as any mode of plough- 
ing that has yet been 
invented, at the present 
rate of payment, viz., 
from 16s. to 21s. per 
acre.* 
Poling. — There have not been many great changes in the 
manner of poling hops. Four-pole work, or putting four poles 
to each hill, is not so much practised as formerly in East and 
Mid Kent. It prevails still in the Weald of Kent and in Sussex 
to a considerable extent in the Jones grounds. In the former 
district, before creosoting was introduced, the Jones and some- 
times the Grape were poled with four stout old poles from the 
Golding grounds. This supply has, fortunately, to a great 
extent failed, owing to the preservation of the poles by the 
creosoting process ; and Grape and Jones are now poled with 
three 12-feet or 11-feet poles, much better suited to their habit 
and nature. Two poles are very frequently put to each hill in 
Golding grounds ; or one row of hills is poled with two poles, 
and the next with three poles, and so on alternately. Planters do 
not as a rule pole their hops with such large long poles now. 
The feet of the poles are so effectually preserved that there is not 
the gradual diminution of length and consequently of girth which 
formerly took place from decay and annual sharpening. The bine, 
therefore, does not get that relief which, though uncertain and 
accidental, was yet appreciable in a considerable degree. So in 
old Golding grounds, where the poles are still very stout and the 
bine is weak, it is usual to help it by placing the fine tips of 
old poles 3 or 4 feet long, close by the larger poles. The bine 
is tied to these smaller poles ; when it has reached their tops it 
coils round the larger poles and goes up them with vigour. 
Creosoting or Dipping'" hop poles has become almost 
universal. It may fairly be said that this is one of the most 
important improvements that have been made lately in hop 
cultivation, as by its operation the prices of large hop poles have 
been reduced at least 22 per cent., and of smaller poles 14| to 
15 per cent, during the last eight years, while in the same 
Fig. l.—The Spud. 
* Mr. Boys, in his ' Survey of Kent,' shows that the price paid for digging hops 
■was, in 1795, fi-om 15s. to U.; in 1803, from 1/. to ll. 5s. 
