HOP APHIS. 
18 
“ Where the cultivation is not so careful, or where Hop-gardens are 
too extensive, and the local labour not sufficient to battle with the 
evil, then the Hop is destroyed by the Aphis.”—F. L. Hausburg, Eden- 
thal, Pensliurst. 
“ The washing of Hops is an expensive process, as it comes at a 
time when the summer work requires to be done, and some must be 
delayed. I commenced washing this year (1882) about the 2nd of 
June, and continued for about seven weeks, washing them all every 
week or eight days. 
“ I used engines with one hose, one lad to pump, one to direct the 
hose, and one to carry water, if near at hand ; if from a distance this 
would require a little extra. 
“ I used 14 gallons of water to 1 lb. of soap, with a little addition of 
soda, but I am not certain whether the soda was really useful. Some 
of my neighbours used 10 gallons, some 12, to 1 lb. of soap. I used 
the best soap, and preferred to use a greater quantity than to be more 
careful, and not use so much of the wash when made stronger. 
“ I have gone through all my expenses, and I find the cost, reckon¬ 
ing everything, to be about £8 per acre. 
“ I put on about 500 gallons of mixture to every acre at each 
dressing. I consider the soap to be worth something as manure. 
“ I begin to pick on Monday (Sept. 11th, 1882, Ed.). Crop, as I set 
my average, about 8 cwt. all through. The Colgates are not growing 
out through the wet and cold, or I should put them a little higher. It 
is sad to see the great bulk of the plantations : very many grounds 
will not have a bin put to them.”—T. Hammond, Fordcombe, Tunbridge 
Wells. 
“June 15th.—I find that but very little Fly has appeared round 
here. Lady Emily Foley’s Hop-yard was attacked about a fortnight 
ago, only slightly. The Hops were washed at once with soft-soap and 
water, and I believe the Fly has disappeared. 
“ I have found the following mixture to answer admirably for syring¬ 
ing or washing the Hops, the effect being to kill the Aphides almost 
instantaneously, and it does not injure the burr :—For large quantities, 
12 lbs. of soft-soap and half a gallon of paraffin to 100 gallons of hot 
water; to be stirred well together and used when cool. I find paraffin 
mixes well by using hot water, the nearer boiling the better.”— Arthur 
Ward, The Gardens, Stoke Edith Park, Hereford. 
“ I take but little heed of the winged Aphis, but when followed by 
Lice and Nits the blight becomes dangerous, and the plant should be 
washed with soft-soap and water,—9 lbs. of soap to 100 gallons of 
water I have found most efficacious,—at the same time freely using 
stimulating manures, ammonia, nitrates, soot, &c. 
“ The only entire failure of Hop-crop I have had was in 1879, and 
