12 
HOP APHIS. 
I 
It would be exceedingly useful if any information could be given as 
to the cause or causes (as they may be many) of this exemption, such 
as exposure, temperature, manure, &c. ; also whether there was any 
special presence or absence of woods or hedges, or waste weedy land 
near. The first note is as follows :— 
“ I have observed many times a pole or hill keep quite clean when 
the surrounding hills were infested with blight, and if these bines run 
on to infested poles there is something about them too healthy to 
allow the Fly and Lice to get on them. 
“ I always fancy, when we get these severe attacks of blight, that, 
although the plant may look rank and strong, there must be something 
wrong about it, perhaps a lot of unhealthy sap, through excessive wet 
seasons, so that the plants, earth, and atmosphere may be in a fit 
state, if not to cause ‘ blight,’ certainly to encourage it. My plan 
has always been, by extra cultivation and attention, to endeavour to 
get the plant healthy, and I have succeeded so far that I have never 
been so blighted in any year but that I have got many of my Hop¬ 
gardens through. Some of them last year (that is, 1882) looked very 
beautiful.”— Horace Coleman, Brede, Sussex. 
“ There is a Hop-garden on the Kentish rag near Maidstone : in the 
early part of this year (1888) the bine was slack, and it was forced on 
by the application of rape dust, one ton to the acre,—this is a heavy 
dose. This has produced a young succulent growth, which has been 
badly attacked by vermin. Grounds near it are practically clean, so 
that too great forcing is nearly as bad as too severely checking the 
plant by unfavourable weather,” &c.— Bichard Cooke, Detling, near 
Maidstone. 
“ Hop Aphis usually appears after an ungenial season, when the Hop 
plant for some reason has become unhealthy, and hence the attack, 
just as animals which are diseased will be covered and their coats 
filled with vermin. If the Hop plant can by genial weather resume 
its healthy state before the Aphis has overpowered it, then the Aphis 
will leave, and a moderate crop will be grown.” —Edward Monckton, 
Hale Place, East Peckliam, Tonbridge. 
Washes. 
The following notes refer mainly to the benefit and method of 
application of washes :— 
“ Last season the only good Hops that could be seen for miles round 
were in the immediate vicinity of Penshurst, the fact being that the 
Hop-gardens here are of a limited extent; they are kept clear of 
weeds, well manured, and when the Aphis appears the plants are 
washed again and again,—in fact, so long as the insects appear ; the ^ 
farmers are able to find sufficient labour here to do it. 
