The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-04-18
Hon Growing.

Hop Growing.
The following practical hints on Hop grow
| ing, we take from letter written by l. +.
Scott, Of Pardeeville, Columbia Co., Wis, TO
Mr. Ephraim Perkins of Somers, in this coun-
ty, who is going 10 try the adaptability Of
Kenosha Co., to hop growing. Mr.. Scott
saws he has taken great deal OF pains and
spent some time and money, to post himself
thoroughly on the minutive Of Hop Culture,
and is satisfied that he now understands the
matter thoroughly.
! WHAT TO DO FIRST.
| Mr. Scott says THE first item Of advice
would give you relative to this matter is-do
as did when was what is usually termed
"grcen" in the business. I heard thai the
American AqrtcaatDTist, published in New
York contained very valuable essays on Hop
Culture, 1 got the paper and found in it al
most every item Of information that desired;
1 would not have been without it the first year
for fifty dollars. Yet, found it necessary to
get some instruction from those who had been
in the business before.
THE BEST VARIETIES AND now TO PLANT
THEM.
There are sew eraI varieties Of hops, some of
them much more productive than others. The
English Cluster Hops is considered much the
best producer for this country.
Hops should be planted at least feet apart
each way, some set them 9 aud 10 feet apart.
Hops cannot be traa&planted to any advantage;
the bed-roots penetrate quite deep into the
earth, and will not bear to be disturbed, and
will not grow if set-Only the offshoots or
runners will be safe to plant. Hence they
should be set where they are to remain. For
each acre there should be at least ten hills OF
male or staminate hops planted. If this is
neglected, the hops will be light and yield
poor.
WHERE TO GET PIANTS-WHAT THEY COST.
Mr.. Scott says 1.-THE Hop roots in this
vicinity are all engaged long ago. Roots last
spring, sold for $40 to $50 per acre. The mar
ket opened at $40 per acre and continued to
rise until they got up to $50, and ! think the
demand will be still greater, if possible this
spring. | could contract your roots now or
early in the spring, and send them to you as
soon as taken out of the ground. When in
Sank co., this week I enquired after hop
roots, but found none for less than $40 per
acre"
PREPARATIONS IN sAUK CO.,
Mr.. Scott continues II have been four
times in Sank Co., this winter the greatest
hop.growing county in the United States, and
now the richest county in this State. was
astonished to see the unparalleled prepare
tions that are being made for hop-growing
the coming season. Men and teams are all
busy, getting out hop poles; and drawing
them from five to fifty miles, as they may
chance to get them. Tamerack poles are
worth from $50 to SIS per 1000. Short poles
from $25 to $35 per acre.
HOP YIELD PER ACRE.
The yield of Hops per acre, varies as much
as other crops, ranging from $500 to $1,000
worth per acre, or from 1900 to. 220o pounds
per acre"
THE BEST KIND OF POLES.
Two kinds Of poles are in use-the long
poles and short poles and Irvine. Mr.. Scott
saws ''where long poles are exposed to heavy
gales of wind, they are often broken OIL, or
turned up out of the ground, at the season Of
the year, when it proves most disastrous.
have seen hundreds OF hills ruined In few
-
mine last season in one storm, had some 800
poles blown down in a few moments, while
mine, still more exposed had not hill dis
turbed. Mr.. Scott uses the short poles and
cord (wooi-twine) He thinks they are much
better. as well as cheaper (Ouly one fourth
the expense) especially for prairie soil; and be-
lieYes they will come into general use before
long He SAYS, Il paid % cts per box e bush
els last season; in Sank Co, they were 80 cts
per box.
THE BEST SOIL FOR HOPS.
"Prairie soil, E" says Mr.. Scott, ''is not as ia
vorable for growing hops as oak-openlng,
where there is more or less gravel mixed with
the clay. The ground you speak of planting
to hops | think may do well. You can raise
three fourths of crop OfcOrn the first year as
well as not, and then you can cultivate ana
hoe as much as you please Mark out your
land both ways, and see you get the distance
right, and the rows perfectly straight. II you
would seE q small pole about 10 or II feet long
in every thrifty hill, you would harvest hops
en1uvh to pay all the expense Of roots and
planting. Z the se28Qn should prove tayoraule'
HOP uoCGg, KILN &C.,
''You viii need a Hop-HOuse Is by 3G feet
for yard of three or four acres, and Kiln
IS tt. square, with IA #. studding. You should
have a plan and explanation the best, cheap
est, and most convenient arrangement for
hop house. Ifyou pitch in (heels over head
as some do, without proper unders landing
of what you want, you win lose both time and
money in the operation, and in year or two
have to overhaul the whole institution.
The Harris patent press, is the best, think
in the world. 1t costs at the shop in Kilbourn
city $55. For drying purposes, the Delton
Hop Stove is called by experienced men, the
best in the United States. There are two ST.
yes of this stove. No. 1, stove Aft 2in. inside,
weighs 900 lbs, and costs $63. No, q stove
3ft Tin. inside, weighs 800 lbs and costs $50
These stoves have CRATE bottom and cast
iron ash box, full size of the stove, which is
an excellent arrangement both for conven-
fence and safety The common stove is en-
tirely too thin plate, and will not keep up
an even temperature"
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
Mr.. Scott gives some of his personal expert
ence as follows II built my own hop-house,
dried my own hops, baled them and the result
was that the Hop Merchants said that I
brought as good an article of Hops as had
been offered in Kilbourn City, the greatest
hop market in the State. Much depends on
the kind of press you use, and the appearance
Of the bal es."
The TTnion Minstrnls