248 
Hop Cultivation 
Remedies . — Sulphur is the only remedy that has been found 
of any efficacy. This is largely used in Kent and Sussex, but 
not nearly so extensively in Hants, Surrey, Herefordshire, and 
Worcestershire. Some planters put on black sulphur, Sulphur 
viuum, at first, and then finely-sublimated sulphur, flowers of 
sulphur. Others make use of flowers of sulphur only as being 
lighter and more adhesive to the leaves. This form of sulphur 
is much preferable, as it contains, if good, 95 per cent, of sul- 
phur, while the black common sulphur only contains 55 to 70 
per cent, of sulphur. The application is made by day now, 
almost invariably, and as far as possible in sunshine. From 
40 lb. to GO lb. of sulphur are applied per acre at each sulphur- 
ing. When the plants are fairly up the poles, the first sulphur- 
ing is given. About three weeks or a month afterwards it is 
repeated, and frequently again three weeks later, if there is the 
least indication of mildew. 1 If mildew persists sulphuring is 
continued, and even when the cones are out — though this is 
avoided if possible, on account of the objection of brewers, who 
aver that the particles of sulphur retained upon the cones affect 
the fermentation of the beer. 
Sulphur acts by the evolution of sulphurous acid gas, which 
is destructive to fungoid life. The sulphur is volatilized by the 
influences of moisture and heat, and sulphurous acid gas is 
given off. In very cold, dull, summer seasons, the action of 
sulphur is most weak. In hot weather there is a considerable 
evolution of this gas, whose fumes can be smelt on passing by 
sulphured hop plants. It has been noticed that sometimes, in 
very hot, dry weather, the action of sulphur seems most ineffi- 
cient ; this is probably because there is not sufficient moisture to 
cause adequate volatilization. The uncertainty of volatilization 
and want of concentration of the sulphurous acid gas upon the 
fungus make sulphuring a rather unsatisfactory operation, and 
frequently entail the necessity of doing it over and over again, 
without apparent advantage. But it is the only remedy known 
that is in any way efficacious as against mildew ; and indepen- 
dently of this, its application to hop plants is considered to 
impart vigour to them in some mysterious manner, in the same 
way that sulphate of copper dressings preserve the green colour 
and luxuriance of potato plants. 
Sulphur is applied to hop plants by a machine drawn by a 
horse between the rows. This is light of draught, having two 
large wheels, upon which there is a hopper where the sulphur is 
1 This is the practice of the French wine-growers, who sulphur vines for 
the vine mildew three times at regular periods in the grqwth of the vine. 
