Cultivation and Management of Hops. 
345 
period the hop acreage has been increased by over 10,000 acres. 
Before dipping was introduced it was usually estimated that in 
hop grounds poled with l(j-feet and 14- feet poles, one-sixth 
part of the whole number required renewing each year ; and 
in those grounds poled with 12-fcet poles about a fourth part. 
It is now calculated that in grounds where dipping has been 
practised for eight years, only one-fifteenth part of the larger 
poles and a tenth part of the smaller poles per annum are 
wanted. The labour expenses of poling, carrying in, and 
throwing out, have diminished in a proportionate ratio. On 
the other hand, there are the extra expenses of loading and 
carting to and from the dipping tank, of the preparations for 
dipping, and of the process itself; but taking every pro and con 
into consideration, it is generally reckoned that where creosoting 
has been steadily persevered in for eight years, from 40 to 45 
per cent, has been taken off the whole expense connected with 
the poling of hops. The operation of dipping is very simple. 
The poles are put upright into an iron tank of about 2^ feet to 
3^ feet deep, 7, 8, or 9 feet long, 3 or 4 feet wide, with a small 
furnace underneath it, and a scaffold around to keep the poles 
upright. The fixed tanks are far the best, as there is much 
wear and tear indispensable from moving the tank from ground 
to ground, or from farm to farm. As much creosote * is poured 
in as will cover from 1^ to 2j feet — according to their size — of the 
ends of the poles in the tank, with due allowance for boiling. 
The bark is previously shaved off from the ends of the poles so 
that the boiling creosote may permeate through the pores and 
sap-vessels of the wood. It is better to dip poles when green 
than to bed them for a year before dipping, as less creosote is 
required ; the cellular tissues being soft, and the vascular layers 
full of sap, the preserving composition is more easily driven up 
and distributed by the atmospheric pressure. The watery parts 
of the tissues and sap are evaporated, the creosote takes their 
place, preventing decay from wet, air, and the attacks of insects.! 
The poles are left in the tank for twenty-four hours, during at 
least twelve hours of which time the composition should be kept 
well boiling. It should be made to boil again before the poles 
are taken out, or it will become viscous and adhere to the 
poles. The price of creosote is now from 2d. to 2hd. per gallon, 
and the whole cost of dipping ranges from 2s. 6d. to 3*. 6d. per 
100 poles. 
New Modes of Poling and Training. — During the last few 
* Creosote is the residuum of gas tar, after the extraction of aniline, benzoline, 
&c., and varies much in quality, according to the coal used. 
t la Fi ance poles are steeped in sulphate of copper, or the solution is forced up 
by heat, as in the creosoting process. 
