, 1861-03-01
Terms of Subscription;
Agricultural.
From the California Farmer.
Cultivation Of the Hop,

lullllutlOh VI INV hOP'
As we have continual inquiries relative
10 the cultivation of the Hop Vine, we feel
that we can do our readers favor by pub.
fishing the following circular which we
have received from Mr.. Ray Of Sacramento,
who has given considerable attention to
the growing of Hops, and has studied their
habits and character for two or more years
in California. We learn from Mr.. Ray
that he planted lot of Hop roots, as late
ms May last, upon quite dry piece of land,
and although not expecting but small re-
turn in growth, yet they grew well and
made strong vigorous plants.
In an article which appeared recently in
Horticultural work in this State, very
erroneous notion was put forth advising
trelising the Hop. This was new idea |;
and any one, on trial, will find that the
Hop will not change its native habit of
growing HpWards and grow horizontally on
a trellis, any more than man will bend
and grow in that direction. The idca\was
absurd; they require strong and long up
right stakes or poles, even to the hight
named by Mr.. Ray. We saw pole at
the last State Fair, % feet long, covered
to the very top. Poles should not be less
than fifteen, eighteen and twenty feet,
surely.
The circular of Mr. Ray is q business
one, and contains much Of interest TO all
Hopgrowers:
EDlToR FARMER-AlIow me to call your
attention to the cultivation Of the Hop as
d lucrative branch Of Horticulture.
Our own, and the numerous experiments
Of Others, many of whom have purchased
roots from us, fully establish the peculiar
adaptedness of the soil and climate of the
whole Pacific coast to its growth and our
Brewers, by paying fifty per cent. more for
them than for the best brought around
Cape Horn, fully establish their superior
character.
Since we have numerous inquiries, often
BY those who know but little of the Hop
plant, we have thought 1t best TO publish
this circular, appending some brief remarks
respecting its character and mode of culti-
Vation.
CHARACTER OF THE HoP.-The root Of the
Hop is perennial, continuing to throw out
its annual vine, aud produce its flowers,
abuOdantly, for twenty or more years In
common with small class, it has its STAN
ems and pistils on different plants. The
Hop Of commerce, is the flower of the pis-
tilaie or female plant; the Office Of the male
or stamiuate flower, being merely to iupreg-
nate the female flower by its formulating
dust. or pollen, causing IL to mature, seed,
and, perhaps, in slight degree, contribu-
ting TO the development of the flower
Hence, but few male plants are wanted 10
o Hop yard, one hill to 100 Of the female
plants being sufficient.
PRoPAGArIoN.-Plants may be obtained
from seed, but they cannot be set out till
they have been proved, for like apples, or
many other fruits, they are seldom like
their parent, and at least one half will be
males; while Of the females, probably not
one in fifty will be worth saving. The
proper way to propagate, is by the employ
ment Of cuttings from old and well tested
bearing roots. These are dropped in hills,
six feet apart, each way, and covered to
the depth Of FIVE inches, Twelve hundred
roots will plant an acre, if one cutting only
DO planted iu bill, and this is enough, if
they strike well. They may be planted
from January TO March, or even April /;
but January and February, where it is
practicable, are the best months for plant
Ing. 1t is often the case that Hop Yard,
in this country, will produce a small crop
the first season, aud if the plants promise
well, it may be best to set poles and allow
them to run. The poles should be lS to
"a feet in hight, and strong enough to re-
sist the force Of the wind, when loaded with
vines.
GArHERISo-The Hop natures in our
climate in September. When 1t Is ripe
enough to pick, the color has slightly
changed to lighter shade, aud the seed has
become hard and firm.
Picking should be pursued with as much
dispatch as possible, and it is best conduct
ed by removing the pole carefully from the
ground, after cutting of the vines near the
surface. The Hops may then be picked,
the vines stripped or cut of, and the poles
returned TO their former position for future
nse.
CURIxa-Copsists merely in drying, and
may bo effected by spreading in the shade
having care that the pollen be not dissi
pated or lost. But far more expeditions
and cheaper plan, if the quantity be consid
orable, is to employ kiln made of brick Of
stone, or even wood might answer. A
good size for the kiln is twelve feet squart
at top, two feet at bottom, and eight fee
high; across the top are laid Stats for th'
support Of cloth on which the green hop
are placed. The heat is applied from
furnace Of charcoal placed at the bottom
In kiln of this size, fifty pounds may b
dried at time.
55- Henry Dexter, the sculptor, is nov