Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-02-13

From across the continent comes the
story of eleven acres of hops grown on
a California rancho, and yielding the
enormous quantity of 3, 324 pounds TO the
acre. In the East 1900 pounds to the
acre is considered large yield and in
most yards, especially since the appear
ance of the aphis, 1000 weight would
come nearer the average. The diminu-
ton of the crops from the devastation of
the louise cannot, by any known means
be guarded against. But if we eliminate
this factor from the calculation, the diff
ference between an ordinary Eastern
hop crop and the greater yield from the
remote West is simply the measure be-
tween the conditions of slipshod practice
and those most favorable to an abund-
ant harvest. For the richness of soil
and deep filth, which Nature probably
furnished the California culturst, may
be initiated if not emulated here.
The soil that will grow corn will grow
hops, but it must be deeper for the for
mer than is absolutely necessary for the
latter. Hence the common usage of
setting out the hop roots in starting a
new yard with the same filth as the
corn, which occupies three-fourths of
the ground the first year, Is, on the face
of it, an error. Sub-sOiling, not trench
ing, will pay well in the long run, and if
this is not convenient the site of each hill
of hops may be dug to a depth of
eighteen inches and a width Of two feet,
and with plenty of ashes and we'll root
ed manure intimately mixed with the
soil, will show its profit in the first years
yield.
Undoubtedly barn yard manure is one
of the very best helps for this as for
most other crops. But it may be supple
/ mented to advantage by special fertiliz-
ers, the nature of which is indicated by
the composition of the plant. The quail
+ ity Of alkali taken from the soil is shown
by the quantity of ashes obtained by
/ burning the bones hence the utility of
wood ashes. The hop is a green and
| succulent plant with many leaves, and
/ as ammonia is the element of plant food
/ which contributes most directly to the
/ the nOurishment of such the usefulness
! Of hen manure, guanO and the like. is
/ plain. As the Tipeuing clusters are filled
with seeds, the number and plumpness
of which determine, in a great manner,
/ the weight of the dried product, and as
/ all seeds require phosphoric acid, the
/ need of phosphates, either as bone dust
! or superphOsphate, requires no argument
/ for its demonstration. Moreover, the
! pollen of hops, the substance that gives
/ their greatest value for brewing, contains
sulphur The use of gypsum, sulphate
! Of lime, may be predicatcd, both rs a
! source of sulphur in the nutrition of the
/ plant and as a means Of fixing ammonia
/ from the air.
But in the use of these extra and eX-
pensive fertilizers more care and common
sense than is ordinary in their use must
/ be shown if profit, and not loss is DE-
/ sired Ammoniated manurcs and not
/ alkaline materials can only be mingled
/ without detriment to the latter when
/ both are mixed with and covered with
moist earth as in the primal prepare
/ ton Of the hill. In their subsequent APP.
/ plicati0n the guano or its equivalent may
! be mingled with the ashes and the two
/ be applied at different times in the early
/ stages Of growth, preferably just before
rain. Bone dust may be applied later.
/ at the earliest signs of towering.
i SO much for manuring but the most
! excellent practice of this will not atone
/ for theFiack of thorough filth, the FIRE.
/ quent stirring and aeration Of the soil
! Taken in connection with it shoulG
double the annual yield per acre of East
ern hops But this viii not come all al
! once, neither this year nor next, although
! more scientific methods, rs well as moro
/ thorough practice, must sometime he
/ come universal in the production OF {
/ crop which, for the area devoted to it,
/ IS capable at current prices of paying
/ better than any other cultivated in the
| Northern States.