CULTURE OF IIOPS- 
67 
tation, and making it more wholesome for man 
and beast. It is a great safeguard against blast, 
rust, mildew, and indeed all the diseases of grain 
and vegetables. 
Salt is inoperative applied near the seashore, 
where salt water or spray is already in excess on 
the land ; but everywhere else it is beneficial. It 
may be used at the rate of 5 to 40 bushels per 
acre, though 10 to 20 bushels is better. It can be 
sown broadcast on the land, or be incorporated in 
the manure or compost heap. Mr. Prideaux in¬ 
forms us, that mixed with lime and its compounds 
it undergoes decomposition, producing soda or its 
combination with carbonic acid, or with humus; 
all more powerful digesters and feeders than the 
salt itself; and the muriate of lime, which has the 
strongest attraction for moisture of almost anything 
known. Salt and lime work vegetable matters to 
decay quicker than salt alone. With gypsum it 
will supply soda and sulphuric acid cheaper than 
any other material, besides the muriate of lime, so 
valuable for its moistening quality. 
In 1839 we commenced a series of experiments 
with salt; but soon after, being called to a distant 
part of the country, and returning to our farm only 
at long intervals, they were not carried out with 
that particularity which they ought to have been. 
Sufficient, however, was known to prove, that 
applied at the rate of 10 bushels per acre to grass 
and vegetables, it made them much more sweet 
and nutritious, and added as near as it could be 
estimated, about one fifth to the first crop of grass 
cut for hay, and full one half to the growth of the 
aftermath, and increased the vegetable crop about 
one fourth in its yield. 
When salt can be obtained cheap we recom¬ 
mend its use. We have seen thousands of gallons 
of fish and other brine thrown away in our towns 
and cities, which would be well worth saving and 
adding to the manure heap. 
CULTURE OF HOPS. 
Soil. —The best soil for the hop is a gravelly or 
sandy loam, moderately rich, and if it abound in 
calcareous matter so much the better. If the soil 
be too fertile, the hop runs too much to vine, and 
is troublesome to be taken care of, and the heads, 
though abundant, grow small; on the other hand, 
if too poor, unless highly manured, there will not 
be a sufficient crop to pay the expenses of cultiva¬ 
tion. 
Preparation for a Crop.— The hop-field should 
be prepared for a crop by plowing, harrowing, &c., 
much in the same manner as for Indian corn. In 
this country, where the land requires manuring, 
that from the barnyard is usually resorted to. In 
Europe, they not only use the barnyard manure, 
but fish, salt, composts of different kinds, woollen 
rags, and indeed most any fertilizing substances; 
such as abound in oily matter are sought after 
with great avidity for dressing the hop-garden. 
Roots for Planting.— The best way to obtain 
the roots is, as soon as spring opens, to plow with¬ 
in a foot of the centre of the hill on each of its four 
sides, then with, a hoe lay bare the roots, and se¬ 
lect those only of the last year’s growth, cutting 
them off about 18 inches long. These are what 
are called trimmings, and are necessary to be ta¬ 
ken from the old hop-roots every year, whether 
required for new plantings or not. As these trim¬ 
mings will not be wanted for several weeks after 
cutting, for planting the new hop-field, they can 
be kept by burying them in a heap in the ground, 
or by placing them in a cellar. 
Planting. —After the ground is well plowed 
and harrowed, strike out the rows 6 feet apart each 
way, running north and south, and east and west; 
then take a spade and dig out a hole for planting 
8 inches deep, and 1^ to 2 feet in diameter, and if 
the ground be not already sufficiently rich, put a 
shovel full or two of well-rotted manure or rich 
compost into the hole, still leaving it about 
six inches deep. Now select three 
roots, and cross them in the hole thus, 
and cover them with about six inches 
of earth, leaving the ground level over 
them. If not crossed as above when planted, so 
as to give the roots a compact form in the holes 
they spread too much, and send up their shoots in 
a wide straggling manner, and it will be difficult to 
confine them within a proper space for poling. 
About the time of corn planting, or a little before, 
is the best period for setting out the hop roots. 
After they are set out, a corn or root crop can be 
planted between each row. 
After Cultivation. —In a week or ten days, 
the hops will make their appearance, and the cul¬ 
tivation the first year will consist in merely keep¬ 
ing the weeds down, and the ground well stirred, 
which is usually done while cultivating the crop 
which may be planted between the rows of hops. 
Neither hilling nor poling is necessary; for al¬ 
though the vines frequently produce hops, the 
crop is not worth harvesting. 
Management the Second Year. —If the ground 
be not sufficiently rich, as soon as the spring opens, 
the hop-field should receive a dressing of rotted 
