THE WISCONSIN FARMER.



              Culture of Hops.

  In answer to the query of a correspondent
in our last No., in regard to the best method
of cultivating hops, we extract the folrowing
article, written by D. B. Shapley, of Madison
county, N. Y . from the C'ountrty Gentleman.
flops are largely imported into this State from
New York and elsewhere, and we see no reason
why the crop should not be remunerative.
  The successful cultivation of the hop implies
watchful and incessant care during the first
stages of its growth. They should be planted
upon a warm, deep, loamy soil, on a dry bot-
tom, wunich is best found upon a sandy, grav-
elly or stony porous subsoil, affording drain-
age from off and about the roots of the plants
during the rainy and frozen season of the year.
Hlops are one of the most exhausting among
cultivated plants, both in respect to the organ-
ic and mineral constituents which are extract-
ed from the soil.  Therefore rotation of crops
should not extend more than four years on the
same ground, unless the soil is supplied with
that which the hops most extract. In compar-
ing the table of analysis, we find that both
lime and potash enter largely into the growth
of both the plant and hop.



ground in rows 7 and 8 feet asunder. The best
and quickest way to proceed in laying out the
ground is to use a horse and a corn marker,
by having the pins in the marker 7 feet, the
distance required tl,, the rows one way. lark-
ing the rows the lther way is usually done by
stretching a rope the distance desired, at which
time the setting is done by the guide of the
rope, by setting the hill where the rope cross-
es the mark made by the corn marker. The
setting is done the first of nMay, by setting the
roots of the previous year's growth, called
runners, which are carefully selected, so as to
get healthy roots, which are cut into pieces
with two setts of eyes to each section-setting
them with a dibble in the ground, with five
setts in a hill, setting one at each corner of a
square of 6 inches, and the fifth in the centre
of the square, all in an upright position, with
the eye buds pointing upwards, and all beneath
the surface of the earth at least one inch. In
the planting there should be much attention
paid to the introduction of a sufficient number
of the male plants, one-hill in two hundred or
about five on an acre. They ought to be plant-
ed at regular and known intervals, so that in
subsequent years they may not become indis-
criminately mixed. The first year, planting is
usually done with eorn, taking care not to en-
cumber the hop hill; the after culture the same
as for the accompanying crop of corn. As the
corn matures and is fit for cutting up there
should be much care taken not to cut the hop



vine, which would be very likely to bleed so
as to injure the hill.
  In the succeeding month of October, or the
first of November, there should be placed over
each hill of hops at least one or more good
shovels of well rotted manure for winter pro-
tcction, and to enrich the ground for the ben-
efit of the plant the succeeding season culture,
which requires more care and watchfulness
than the first year to secure a good crop of
hops.
  As soon as the plants make their appearance
above the ground the manure should be care-
fully spread over the hill.  Then the poles are
introduced, varying from 18 to 20 feet long,
with two at each hill, and inserted in the
ground in perfectly straight lines upon each
row, an incision being made with the hop bar
in the ground to a depth required for firmly
holding the poles.  Then the plowing com-
mences, which is done by one horse, having
the plow kept clean, beginning in the centre
of the rows, turning the furrow from the hill
the first time plowing-subsequent plowings
the furrows should be turned towards the hill.
  The cultivator is used after each plowing to
level and pulverize the earth, which should be
kept smooth and level at all times. The pro-
cess of hoeing the first time is done as near as
may be at. the sante time as the first hoeing of
corn.  The vine is usually tied up before the
secondl hoeing, or as soon as the vine has



grown two or three feet in height; they are
tied by selecting two of the most even vines
for cacli pole, the strong rank ones being se-
lected, and subsequently tied until sufficient
strength is acquired in the vine to force itself
up to the summit for the production of its
flower.  The cuiture in the meantime is per-
fojumed with the plow and cultivator and hoe,
earthing up the hill a little the second time
hoeing, keeping the ground clean and pruning
the hills.  Never suffer but two vines to grow
upon each pole, which are preferable to a great-
er number. i It may be here remarked that
hops want richness of soil, which should be
kept up in order to be a successful grower.
Leached ashes is a good substitute for potash,
applied to the hill after the first hoeing. WlWn
it is found to be important to use lime, it should
be well slaked, half a shovelful thinly applied
to a hill in the month of October or the first
of November. When lime is used, muck should
be applied to the hill, in the place of manure,
for winter protection. Salt has also been found
to be a good fertilizer when the vine is disin-
clined to run the pole; by making a brine and
applying it in small quantity to the hill, it acts
like a charm in facilitating the vine in running
the pole.  I. have practically used them all,
and found the productions good.
  Prcaz:;G usually commences about the first
of September: as the flower becomes hard,
with a bright yellow color on opening it, the
envelope of the seeds a purple color, and the



a



248



. -e -SRE I.,~ -- -~UtU --- -t IJ -~~ iX, - . -