The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1867-12-06
CHE far,ts ana Gardeii;
APRoFITABLE CROP.

A writer in the Petersburg Express
furnishes some astonishing figures of
the profit to be derived from the Guilt
yation of the hop crop, He asserts that
ranch on the Sacramento river; Cali
fornia, produced sufficient hops the last
season on thirty five acres to make a
nett ptofit of s2O,OO0l We quote from
the article: =5.
"I have my self produced 2, ,343 lbs; per
acre and agentleman in Bank county,
Wisconsin, this year certifies that he
produced 1900 lbs. per acre on some
acres, which he sold at 30 ets., per h.,
netting clear profit above all cost of
$1,000. These are exceptional cases
and it would be unsafe to figure beyond
II to 1900 lbs. per acre during several
years.
'.From 1,S40 to 1860 growers consid-
efed twelve and one-half cents poutd
very paying price, and labor Ill the
Northern States was then about the
price it is here now, while land was
much higher and poles much dearer.-
conclude therefore that hops can be
produced at that price without loss, and
during eighteen years past the price has
averaged "a Ia cents. During tile past
six years the average has been AZ cents
to the producer. Roots are governed
by the supply and demand, and both
occur during one month, April.
"Unfortunately for persons desiring
to set here, they must accept tile ear
liest prices which are usually high. The
firms of Squicr, Congor & Forrer, and
Terey &c Co., Putnam C Rick and
Charles d. Palmar, of Wateryilie,
Oneida county, New York, and Eddy
s. Wilbur, Wilford, Otsego county, n.
Y, Scott & Sill, Coopertown. N. Y,
are dealers in hops and also rootsin
their season. se
"Belie1ing the above to be of general
interest to your readers, you VIII aid
the farmers of the South by publishing
it, and oblige Your Didn't serv't.
ssW. G. NEwBERRY."
We subioin the instructions concern-
ing the cultivation of hops. We con-
slider this subject OF vast Importance TO
our farmers and we commend it to their
active consideration:
ssSelect land protected from higli
winds, we'll drained hard siB-soil (clay
Or gravel) to hold fertilizers: Plow
deep, manure well, ifnot rich. Pulvef.
ize we'll. Square the field and then
sub divide into squares, seven by eight
feet, with line, setting small stick at
each hill. Select good roots from the
English Grape or sGoldings,' and set
four or five slips in ten inch circle
about the stick. Slips to be six inches
longand set perpendicular. Compress
the fine earth close about the roots, and
entirely cover it. Set male hills to eve
ry ten so uare hills. Plant corn in the
intervals, 8 1-2 u feet. Hoe and weed
when corn is worked, and .hill up late
in the season (August.)
"In November put from half busliei
w oiiV puouCi COdi 30 aihuuuiC On stIic
crown Of the hill. Uncover them the
last of March. In the first half of April
sett two polls cedar 20 feet long, i'm
ches at butt, running to smallest taper,
well trimmed, bark on, one foot apart;
and one foot deep, taking space from
the widest way, Train vines, two to
the pole, to run clear of each other, with
the sun. Fasten with light twine on
yarn, by twisting, that it may not bind
the G, owing vine. Continue to train
Until they are well started up the pole.
Plow and weed twice when necessarily
and the third time when the hop is ifi
blossom plow and 'hill up Pick ear
ly in August, when seed is turning
brown. Dry in kiln built for the pur-
pose, managed by an expert.
SIT will be observed by the above that
no crop is obtained the first year,
Roots can be taken from the hills the
second spring, and it is necessary they
should be taken out. Roots are very
high now-about $40 pei bfsfiel: An
acre will require three bushels. We
obtain them iipon orders with proper
security. t us7fS7 50
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