IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRAINING HOPS, VINES, AND ALL FRUIT TREES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, ARTHUR DAVID CURLING of 6 Dane John Grove, Canterbury, in the County
of Kent, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRAINING HOPS, VINES, AND ALL
FRUIT TREES and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following Statement :-
"
This invention relates to the training of hops, vines and fruit trees in a part
vertical and part oblique direction, or in an oblique only, so as to allow of better
exposure to sun and air.
Referring to the accompanying drawing:-Figs 1 and 2 are respectively a longi-
tudinal and a transverse elevation shewing the method and means I employ.
Taking the cultivation of hops and vines by way of example, I fix in the ground
upright poles a between every two (or more) plants b, wires c¹, c³, o³, being fixed to
the poles a by means of staples when the poles are of wood and by means of clamps
or other equivalent when of iron, so as to run horizontally from pole to pole. The
wires I employ for a single line of plants are preferably three in number, two, viz,
c and o. being fixed at one side of the pole and one viz c³, at the other side. In
Fig 2 is shewn this relative position of the three wires on the poles, but this may
be modifled by fixing all three wires on one-side or by carrying them through the
poles. In convenient positions I form gangways d to allow of a clear passage
through the hop, vine or fruit grounds. These are formed of poles a¹ with cross
pieces fat top and tied with a cross wire about seven feet six inches from the
ground to counteract the strain of the horizontal wires c³, o³, o. Training strings e
are tied to and lead from the top wire o¹ of one line of poles, to the middle wire c³
of the adjacent set and are finally connected to the bottom wire o³ of the same set
as clearly illustrated in Fig 2. In the cultivation of vines I fix or lay on suitable
supports either connected to or independent of the poles, metal or wood cases h in
which is placed a heat retaining substance such as wool or earth for the purpose of
absorbing heat and afterwards giving it off again. In order to counteract the strain
of the strings the poles at suitable distances, say every eighth pole are connected
and stayed by a cross wire i. Fig 3 shews the method of fixing the wires to the
poles, and Fig 4 shows how the wires are strained previous to fixing.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In the training of hop plants, vines and fruit trees, the arrangement of poles,
wires and training strings substantially as described and illustrated.
2. In hop, vine, and fruit grounds provided with the arrangement for training
hereinabove described or any modification thereof, the construction of gangways
substantially as described and illustrated.
3. In the cultivation of vines the provision and arrangement of cases containing
a substance capable of absorbing and giving off heat substantially as described and
illustrated.
JULIUS HALL,
Agent.