Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-08-12


Ma EDtToR :-in describing the method Of dry.
ing hops, as 10 be understood BY ono wholly uu-
acquainted with the business, will FIRST give
description Of the kiln, whick has been, heretofore,
the kind used--at any rate, the kind we have used
a number years, with good success.
h is built by digging into sidc-hill to the per-
pendicuar depth OF about feet below line level
with the upper side--dgging the space for The bot
tom feet square, and FOR the top about IA feet !;
laying tire Of stone, foot thick on the four sides,
with a space FOR a door through the wall on the
lower side. Stills then placed on the wall, into
which are fitted joists feet apart, on which the
floor is laid, consisting Of Stats l2 inches square,
placed about inch apart, over which is drawn
coarse linen cloth fastened TO the sills on the sides
Another tier Of stills is then put on, TO which is fas
tened the roof; then the gable ends are boarded up
leaving door in one end, and window in each
end to lea OF the steam Now, after burning 5
bushels Of charcoal underneath to heat the kiln, il
will be ready 10 receive the hops, which convey
ed TO the kiln in sacks. (made Of 10 yards Of
cloth each) and poured on 10 the cloth 10 the depth
Of 8 or inches, spreading them evenly with rake,
taking TO your feet close 10 the cloth, so
as not to tread on the hops. After The hops are on
and windows lef open above. IL will require mich
judgment and practice TO know how much coal to
use, and how onen TO put i on; which must be
regulated by practice, rs TOO much heat will spoil
kept up after the steam has started il will settle
back on 10 the hops and spoil them. Yet the guam
iiy Of coal TO be used for the kiln have described.
viii vary but little from three pecks al time, pu,
on once an hour. rs
Roll birthstone, or sulphur. is often used in dry.
ing hops. We prefer Aulphur, and use il in The
following manner as soon as the hops nre put on,
close the windows above; put on some coal below,
and when j. becomes Goals Of fire. put on OF
large table spoonuls Of sulphur tina, the steam OF il
may all take effec, on the hops At once. thereby
opening the pores. making them look better when
dgied In 5 or 10 minutes after the sulphur is put
on, the windows must be thrown open. aud remain
so till the steam all passes off; when they may be
closed again. and in short time the hops may be
stirred up--ihose from the outer sides brought into
mddle-fhose moved 10 the sides and all leyeled as
before. TO determine when they are dry enough
to take of, will require some experience; YET By
examining the stem Of the hop and finding il tough
with no juice in il, may be considered good test
The hops, when dry. are taken into sacks by means
Of spout on the lower side Of the kiln, and carried
10 the hop house chamber, underneath whichis ths
press, consisting OF Two upright posts, with bean
across near the top, and two stills at the bottom, Il
support the posts aud prevent them raising. Their
. is also screw passing through the centre Of th'
beam, under which is fitted box made Of planl
so as 10 be taken TO pieces, The inner side of III
box is l-2 feet long, j liz ieet wide, ana 10
feet high When the box Is fitted Tor pressing,
cloth is placed under it, and two men tread in hop
ill is full when another cloth is put on the top
: The follower is then put on, and the screw turne
. down as far as desired, when the box is taken 4
peces-the cloth brought together on the sides an
sewed-the screw turned back--the bale oil hop
e taken ut,--another piece Of cloth sewed on eac
I end, and then il is ready for market.
Q In the above statement have taken only prac
teal view OF the subject; but in building kiln
: the approved method would be to build i Of woot
: above the ground, being some 10 feet below III
. cIoth--the sides perpendicular, and teet abov
a the cloth 10 the cayes-the inner side Of the wal
Iathed aud plsstered from the ground 10 the cave
e Some burn wood in such kilus by making use I
stoves. rtrts0l
Aiier all is said and done, hop raising is not ger
orally considered safe business unless the price e
r ceeds 10 cents per pound. Yours, &c,
e LINCOLN CuspnSG
= Genesee Farmer.