Hop Cultivation. 
241 
each time of washing. If water has to be fetched from distances 
this expense is, of course, increased. Water haa been laid on 
for the purpose by some planters to convenient places near their 
hop grounds. Quassia and soft soap solutions are generally 
made use of for washing, in the proportion of from 4 lb. to 8 lb. 
of soft soap, and the extract of from 8 lb. to 10 lb. of quassia 
chips to 100 gallons of water. The soft soap retains the bitter- 
ness of the quassia upon the bines and leaves, making them 
unpleasant for the aphides, which are thus starved out. Many 
of the winged as well as the wingless aphides are also washed 
off in the spraying process, and in the later stages the foulness 
upon the leaves, caused by the excreta and “ honeydew ” from the 
aphides, is removed, renewed health and vigour being given to 
the plants. But good managers now do not allow the aphides 
to remain long enough to produce this state. 
Soft soap, of the quantity required, is dissolved in a large 
tub of warm w r ater, and the solution is well stirred. Quassia 
chips are boiled to extract their bitter principle. This extract 
and the soap solution are mixed together in proper proportions 
and put into the water-carts as they are brought alongside, nearly 
filled with water. The jolting of the carts on their way to the 
hop ground serves to mix the materials together. 
Upon smaller hop farms hand-washing machines are em- 
ployed, worked by three men — one to push the machine and 
pump, and one on each side with a long hose to distribute the 
wash over the plants. Other men bring the wash in pails to the 
machine, as required, from tubs set at the ends of the hop grounds. 
The machines used are large-sized garden engines, with 
strong pumps and broad wheels. A very useful machine of 
this kind is shown in fig. 8, p. 242, which, from its narrow 
shape, may also be utilized in fruit plantations. 
Various nozzles are used to distribute the liquid. Most have 
a simple aperture. Some have a chamber or arrangement to 
divide the stream and send it forth in spray. This is the proper 
method. By the use of single jets a great quantity of liquid is 
required. The main object is to cover every particle of leaf and 
bine surface with spray, or mist, and it is contended by many 
that forcing up single streams violently is a great waste of 
material, and dees not achieve the desired end. The Biley 
nozzle is a good nozzle, and there are several imitations and 
adaptations of this of more or less merit. 1 
1 As to machines, nozzles, &c., see Methods of Preventing and Checking the 
Attacks of Insects and Fungi. By Charles Whitehead. Published for the 
Jtoyal Agricultural Society by John JMurray, Albemarle Street. £d. 
