A perfite platforme of a hoppe garden and necessarie instructions for the making and mayntenaunce thereof, with notes and rules for reformation of all abuses, commonly practised therein, very necessary and expedient for all men to haue, which in any wise haue to doe with hops. Made by Reynolde Scot.

¶ A perfite Platforme of a Hoppe garden

AT what time necessitie , or anye other good consideration shall mooue you to deuyse for a Hoppe garden , you are to consider of these three thynges .

First , whether you haue , or can procure vnto your selfe , any grounde good for that purpose .

Secondly , of the conuenient standing therof .

Thirdly , of the quantitie .

And this I saye by the waye , if the grounde that you deale withall , be not your owne enheritaunce , procure vnto your selfe some certayne terme therein , least another man reape the fruite of your traueyle and charge .

Of apt and vnapt grounde for Hoppes .

SOme holde at this daye ( and Auncient wryters wytnesse the same ) that earth being salt and bitter of taste , Virgilius . is neyther good , nor apt to be made good .

It is also often written , and generally receyued , that such earth as you shall see whyte and bare ( that is to saye ) wholy chalke , or all sande lacking a mixture of perfyte earth , Didymus . or if it bee clayie , or so drie , Plinius . as thereby it shall gape or coane in the summer , is naught . &c.

It is further sayde , that if you shall feele a clod ( being dissolued with water ) to be very clammy , or cleauing like Waxe to your fyngers in kneading it , the same to be profytable lande . &c.

I for my part relye not vpon other mens opinions , neyther meane to dispute with anye man herein , I lyke not to make my mouth an arbitrer in this matter , mine eye maye be deceyued , and my feeling may erre in the precyse distinction of good or bad lande , but mine experience hath neuer fayled in this thing ( that is to saye ) that a barren , a moorie or wette soyle ( though it perhaps doe content a wylde Hoppe ) shall neuer please nor maintayne a good Hoppe .

I will not say with Varro , that a good ground yeeldeth Walwoortes , nor with Columella , that where Crabbes or Sloes growe , there the grounde is riche . I can saye nothing of Florentines experience , in digging a hole , and fylling it vppe agayne , and by the swelling to iudge the strength , or by the gaping to defyne the weakenesse thereof , but I can say againe by sure experience , that a drie grounde , if it be riche , meoloe , and gentle , is the soyle that serueth best for this purpose , and such a moulde must either be sought out , or else by cost and labour be prouoked .

If it be a verye shallowe rocke ( except you rayse it with greete or good earth ) you shall not set your Poales deepe , steddye , and fast ynough , to withstande the force of the winde .

To redresse the inconuenience herof , you shall be taught in the tytle of Poales .

A lyght moulde ( though it be very rich ) is not very apt for this purpose , for it is a receyued and a prooued rule , that the heauyest grounde wyll beare the most weyght of Hoppes , I saye , so as it be a grounde apt for this purpose .

Of the Scituation .

IT were good to place your Garden so as the Sunne maye haue free recourse into it , eyther the whole daye , or the greatest and warmest part thereof , so also as if maye bee armed against the violence and contagion of the Easternlye and Northernlye wynde , but this I woulde wishe to be considered rather in the situation of the place , naturallye defended with a Northernly or Easternlye hill , than artificiallye be set and garded with trees . Howbeit , if you be driuen herevnto , prouide so ( if you can ) that your trees may stande aloofe , euen that the shadowe of them , reache not into your Garden , but in any wise that they droppe not vpon the hylles .

It shoulde also be placed neare to your house , except you be able to warrant the fruite thereof from such fyngers as put no difference betweene their owne and other mens goodes .

Also your Garden being thus placed , there may be made thervnto the more speedie and continuall recourse , besides that , that the Maisters eye shall manye times withstande and preuent the seruants negligence .

Finally , by this meanes , it may be with most ease and least charge holpen with dunge .

Of the quantitie .

THe quantitie of your Garden , must eyther bee measured by the proportion of your yerely expences of Hoppes in your house , or by the cost you meane to bestowe in the preparation and keeping thereof , or by the paynes and businesse that you are disposed , or able to employe vppon it , or else according to the profite and gaynes , that you meane to leuie and winne by it , which later consideration pleaseth and flattereth much a couetous mannes conceyt , whose vaine or humor , ( or rather vaine humor ) is so resisted in the rules appertayning herevnto , as many times the greedinesse of his desire , is the ouerthrowe of his purpose , as shall hereafter appeare .

A proportion of the charge and benefite of a Hoppe garden .

BVt to be resolued in all these poyntes that conscerne the quantitie of your Garden , you must make your account in this voyse .

One man may well keepe twoo thousand hils , and yet reserue his wynters labor for anye other purpose .

Vppon euery Acre you maye erect seauen , eyght , or nyne hundreth hylles , as hereafter shall be declared .

Vpon euery hyll well ordered , you shall haue three poundes of Hoppes at the least .

Three poundes of these Hoppes will largely serue for the bruing of one quarter of Mault .

One hundreth poundes of these Hoppes , are commonly woorth .xxvj. s. viij . d. So as one acre of grounde , and the thirde part of one mans labor , with small cost besides , shall yeelde vnto him that ordereth the same well , fortye markes yearely , and that for euer .

And here is to be noted , that grounde orderly vsed , doth not only yeelde the more , the greater , the harder , and the weyghtyer Hoppes , but also they shall goe further , they shall endure longer , they shall be holesommer for the body , and pleasaunter of verdure or taste , than such as be disorderly handled .

These things considered , you may proceede to the making of your Gardeyn , wherein you are yet to haue counsell , for the laying out thereof , for the due season and the right trade to cut and set Hoppe rootes , what choyse you shall make of them , what charge you shall be at for them , you are yet also to learne the tyme , when , and the way how to prepare your grounde , and to make it able to entertaine and nourishe them , to frame your hilles , to maintayne them , and to pull them downe , to cutte , to fashion , to erect , and to preserue serue your Poales , to gather , to drye , and to packe your Hoppes , with manye other circumstances necessarily appertaining hervnto . Finallye , you must be taught the reformation of many enormities and abuses whyche are receyued in most places for good rules , the which ( God willing ) I will set forth truly according to the notes of experience , although not learnedlye after the rules of Rhetoricke .

Of the preparation of a Hoppe Garden .

YOu must lay forth the grounde which you determine to imploye this waye , in as leuell , square , and vniforme wyse as you maye .

If your grounde be grassye , roughe , or styffe , it should be first sowen with Hempe , or Beanes , which naturally maketh the grounde moolowe , destroyeth weedes , and neuerthelesse leaueth the same in good season for this purpose .

But in what plight or state soeuer youre grounde be , tyll it , in the beginning of Winter with the Plough , if it be great , or with the spade , if it be small , and this doe , not only the yeare before you plant it , but also euery yeare after , euen so long as you meane to receyue the vttermost commoditie of your Garden , assuring your selfe that the more paynes you take , and the more cost you bestowe rightly herevpon , the more you doe double your profite , and the nearer you resemble the trade of the Flemming .

The tyme to cut and set Hoppe Rootes .

IN the ende of Marche , or in the beginning of Aprill , repayre to some good Garden orderly kept , as wherein the Hoppes are all of a good kynde , all yerely cut , and wherin all the hylles are raysed very high , ( for there the rootes will be greatest ) then compounde with the owner or keeper thereof for choyce rootes , which in some places will cost sixe pence an hundreth , but commonly they shall be giuen vnto you , so as you cut them your selfe , and leaue euery hyll orderly and fully dressed , but what order you shall vse herein , I will hereafter shewe .

Rules for the choyce and preparation of Rootes .

ANd now you must choose the biggest rootes you can finde ( that is to say ) such as are in bignesse three or foure inches about .

And let euery roote which you shall prouide to set , be nine or ten ynches long .

Let there be contayned in euerye such roote , three ioyntes .

Let all your rootes be but the springes of the yeare last past .

You must haue great regarde that you cumber not your Garden with wylde Hoppes .

Wylde Hoppes are not to be discerned from the good , by the rootes , but eyther by the fruite , or by the stalke .

Of the good Hoppe .

THe good and the kindely Hoppe beareth a great and a greene stalke , a large and a harde bell .

Of the vnkindly Hoppe .

THe Hoppe that lykes not his entertaynement , namely his seate , his grounde , his keeper , his dunge , or the maner of his setting . &c. appeareth at the first out of the grounde greene and small in stalke , thicke and roughe in leaues , verye like vnto a Nettle , which will be commonly deuoured , or much bytten with a little black flie , who also will doe harme vnto good Hoppes where the Garden standeth bleake , or the Hoppe springeth rath , but be not discomforted herewith , for the heate of the Sommer will reforme this matter , and the later Springs will be little annoyed with this Flie , who ( though she leaue the lease as full of holes as a nette ) yet she seldome proceedeth to the vtter destruction of the Hoppe .

Of the wylde Hoppe .

OF the wylde Hoppe , the fruite is eyther altogither seede , or else loose and light belles , the stalke is redde , howbeit , herein the difference betweene the good and the badde Hoppe is not to be discerned , vntill the stalke be twoo or three yardes high , for at their first comming vp , the one as well as the other appeareth redde , and the best Hoppe is then the reddest .

Prouide your rootes therfore , where you are before hande assured of their goodnesse .

Of setting of Hoppe rootes .

HAuing made your prouision of rootes in this wise , returne therewith to your Garden speedilye , and eyther set them immediately , or lay them in some Puddle neare therevnto , or burie them in the grounde vntill conueniencie of winde , weather , and leysure ( the want whereof may sometimes preuent good expedicion ) shall serue . Prouided alwayes that you leaue them not in water or Puddle aboue .xxiiij. houres , but in the earth you may leaue them as long as the time of setting endureth .

Your Garden being dressed , as before I aduised you , it shall be easie for you to direct your hils aright , and that in equall distance , with a Poale , or rather with a lyne ( that will not stretche ) tying therevppon shorte threedes , or placing in it pynnes , according to the proporcion of space which you meane to leaue betweene your hylles , whereof if one be placed out of order , it shall blemishe and hurt a great part of your Garden .

If your Garden be one acte in bignesse , & lye square , leaue betweene euery hole , three yardes , or eight foote at the least in space , as well that the hilles may be made the greater , & that the Hops of one Poale reache not to another , as also that the Sunne may the more freely and vniuersally passe through your Garden , which by this meanes may yearely be plowed betwixt the hylles , whereas otherwise it must be digged , a more tedious and costly businesse .

If your Garden be very little , you may sette the hilles somewhat nearer togither , namely , seauen foote a sunder .

pins and line for planting hops

Your lyne being layde leuell , you must dygge vnderneath euery threede or pinne placed vpon the same , a hole like to a Pitfall , one foote square , and one foote deepe .

When you haue made twenty or thirty holes , take vp so many rootes , from where you bestowed them , as ought to be set therein , and go to woorke on this wise , alwayes watching a tyme ( if you maye ) that the wynde be in some part of the South or West , but be not so scrupulous herein , that you ouerslip the Moneth of Aprill , least Salomons saying be spoken of you : Hee that regardeth the wynde shall not sowe , Eccle. 11. and hee that hath respect to the Clowdes shall not reape . For hee that neglecteth the Moneth of Aprill , shall haue a bad season to cut or plant Hoppes .

bundling hop roots

bundling hop roots Take twoo or three of your rootes ( which by this time will yeelde forth greene sciences or buds , and will also haue small rootes or beardes growing out of them , the which must be all pared awaye harde by the olde roote ) ioyne them close togither , so as ( in any wise ) they may be euen in the toppes , set them also altogither bolte vpright , directlye vnder the foresayde threede or pinne , holding them harde togither with the one hand , while you fyll the hole with the other , with fyne moulde prepared and layde readye before hande , regarding that the toppes of the rootes be leuell wyth the face or vppermost part of the grounde .

Take good heede also that you set not that ende downewarde , that grew before vpwarde , which you shal know by the buddes that appeare in the knots of ech roote , & let no part of the deade stalk remayne vpon the vppermost ioynt thereof .

man planting hops

And here is to be noted , that the readyest and euenest waye , is alwayes to set your rootes at one certayne corner of the hole , which corner shoulde alwayes be right vnderneath the sayde pinne or threede , as is afore shewed .

At this time you must make no hill at all , but onely couer the toppes of your rootes about twoo ynches thick , with the finest moulde you can get .

man planting hops

Abuses and disorders in setting .

SOme vse to sette at euerye corner of the hole one roote , but this is a naughtie and a tedious trade , bicause a man shall bee longer in dressing one of these , than about foure other . To be short , you shall this way so cumber both your selfe and your Garden , that you will soone be wearye with woorking , and your Garden as soone wearie of bearing .

Some wynde them , and set both endes vpwarde , and herein both the cunning of the workman , and the goodnesse of the rootes , are togither very liuely expressed , for if the rootes were good , they coulde not so be wounde , or if the workman were skylfull , hee woulde not be so fonde to set them in that order .

Some vse to laye them thwart or flat , but I saye flatlye , that the same is an ouerthwart and proposterous way , for they can neyther prosper well , ( as being set contrarye to their nature and kind of growing ) nor be kept as they ought to be .

Some vse to make hylles , and then set their rootes therein , but these conclude themselues from ministring succour vnto them at anye time after , besides manye inconueniences hereby ensuing .

Some set their rootes , and then burie them with a great hyll made vppon them , and this is all one with the other , sauing that the hill so choketh these , as most commonlye they growe not at all .

Finally , there be as many euill wayes to set , as there be ignorant men to deuyse .

Prouision agaynst annoyance , and spoyle of your Garden .

IF your Garden be small , and verye nigh to your house , you may arme euerye hill with a fewe thornes , to defend them from the annoyance of Poultrie , which manye times will scrape and bathe amonge the hylles , and so discouer and hurt the Springes , but a Goose is the moste noysome vermine that can enter into this Garden , for ( besides the Allegorie that may be applyed in this case ) a Goose will brut vppon euery yong science or Hoppe budde , that appeareth out of the grounde , which neuer will growe afterwardes , and therefore as well to auoyde the Goose , as other noysome cattell , let your closure be made strong , and kept ryght .

¶ Of Poales .

IT remayneth that I speake nowe of Poales , bicause poaling is the next work nowe to be done .

If your hilles be distant three yardes a sunder , prouide for euery hill foure Poales , if you will make your hilles nearer togither , three Poales shall suffice .

And note that in the first yeare you must occupie as manye Poales as in anye yeare after , the reason whereof I will declare in the tytle of Hilles . &c.

Alder Poales are best for this purpose , as wherevnto the Hoppes seeme moste willinglye and naturally to encline , bicause both the fashion of these Poales being as a Taper small aboue , and great belowe , and also the roughnesse of the Alder ryne , stayth the Hoppe stalke more firmely from slyding downe , than either Ashe or Oke , which for continuance be somewhat better , howbeit , these with the order that I shall prescrybe , will endure sixe or seauen yeares .

These are also best cheape , and easiest to bee gotten in most places , and soonest growen readye for this purpose .

There is in the Springs of these , least daunger in growing , or in being destroyed , or bitten by cattell .

Finallye , by the expence of these , there ensueth least annoyaunce to the common wealth , as well for the causes aforesayde , as also bicause they growe not in so great quantitie , to so good timber , nor for so many purposes as eyther Oke or Ashe .

The best tyme to cutte your Poales , is betweene All hallowentyde and Christmas , but you must pyle them vp immediatly after they are cut sharped , reformed in length , and smoothed , least they rotte before you occupie them .

You may not leaue any scragges vpon them , the reason whereof you shall conceyue in the tytle of gathering Hoppes .

Your Poales may not be aboue .xv. or .xvj. foote long at the most , except your ground be very rich , and that you haue added therevnto great labor in raysing vp your hilles , and also except your hilles stande to neare togither , if these three things meete in one Garden , the best way of reformation , is to set the fewer Poales to an hyll , or to let them remaine the longer . Otherwise the Hoppes will growe from one poale to another , and so ouershadow your Garden , the fault therof being onely to be imputed to the neerenesse of the hilles . But hereof shall be sayde more in the tytle of Reformacions .

The Hoppe neuer stocketh kindely , vntill it reache higher than the Poale , and returne from it a yarde or two , for whylest it tendeth clyming vpwarde , the braunches which growe out of the principall stalke ( wherein consisteth the abundance of encrease ) growe little or nothing .

Let the quantitie of your Poales be great ( that is to say ) nine or tenne ynches about at the lower ende , so shall they endure the longer , and withstande the winde the better .

To descrybe the pryce of Poales , or what it will cost you to furnishe a Garden conteyning one acre of grounde , it were a harde matter , bicause the place altereth the pryce of woode . But in a Wayne you maye carye a hundreth and fyftie Poales , and I see small cause why a loade of these shoulde be dearer than a loade of any other woode .

After the first yeare Poales will be nothing chargeable vnto you , for you maye eyther picke them out of your owne prouision of Fuell , or buye them of your neyghbours that haue no occasion to applye them this way . For , the yearely supply of twoo loades of Poales , will maintayne one acre continually .

Your rotten and broken Poales will doe you good seruice , for the kindling of your fiers in the Oste , wherevpon you should drie your Hoppes , and they should be preserued chiefly for that purpose .

At Poppering ( where both scarcitie and experience hath taught them to make prouision hereof ) they doe commonlye at the East and North side of their Gardens , set and preserue Alders , wherewith they continually maintaine them .

Before you set vp your Poales , laye them all alongst your Garden betweene euerye rowe of hilles by three or fower togither , I meane beside euery hill so many Poales as you determine to set thereon , so shall you make the more speede in your woorke .

Of the erection of Poales .

two tools

You must set euerye Poale a foote and a halfe deepe , and within twoo or three ynches at the most of the principall roote .

If your grounde be rockie and shallowe , tarie the longer before you set vp your Poales , so as your Hoppes maye be growen two or three foote high , that you may aduenture to make a hyll or banke at euery Poale to staye and vpholde the same , wythoute burying anye of the yoonger springs , which may afterwarde be couered with lesse danger and annoyance to the principal roote .

Let the Poales of euery hyll leane a little outwarde one from another , as is hereafter shewed .

Of Ramming of Poales .

THen with a péece of woode as bygge belowe as the great ende of one of youre Poales , ramme the earth that lyeth at the

man inserting three poles into planted hops out side of the Poale , therevnto , but meddle not within the compasse of youre Poales , as they are placed , least you spoile the springes .

Of Reparation of Poales .

IF any of your Poales chaunce to breake when the Hoppe is growen vp , some vse tenderly to vndooe and pull away the broken Poale , and to tye the toppe of those Hoppes to the toppe of a newe Poale , then wynding it a turne or two about according to the course of the Sunne , to set it in the hole , or besides the hole where the broken Poale stoode , and some other being loth to take so much paynes , turne it about some of the other Poales that stande vppon the same hille , and so leaue it . But the best waye is , to set a newe Poale beside the broken Poale , and to tye the broken Poale to the same , whiche may vpholde the sayde broken Poale , and preserue the Hoppe .

Of the preseruation of Poales .

ANd although we are not yet come to the laying vp of Poales , I am bolde herein , as I began to late , so to make an ende to rathe , bicause I woulde couch the whole matter of Poales togither , laying them by themselues ( I meane ) comprehending vnder one tytle , the businesse appertayning vnto them .

For the preseruation and better continuance of Poales , some make houses of purpose , and laye them vp therein .

Some set them vpright to a tree , and ouer them make a penthouse of boowes or boordes .

Some lay a great heape of Hoppestalkes vppon the grounde , and vppon them a great heape of Poales , and vpon the Poales againe lay another heape of stalkes . &c.

These men doe hereby expresse no great experience , although by their diligence they signifye a good desire .

You shall neede to doe no more but thus . At the endes or sydes of your Garden , take three Poales standing vpon three hilles placed directlye one by another , and three like Poales vppon three other hilles of the next rowe right ouer against them , constrayne them to meete togither by two and two in the toppes , and so holde them till one with a forked wande maye put three Withes ( like vnto three Broome bandes ) which must be made of the stalkes of Hoppes , vppon eache couple of the sayde sixe Poales , so shall the same sixe Poales being so bounde by two and two togither , stande like the roofe or rafters of an house .

To keepe the Poales that shall lye nethermoste from rotting , by the moystnesse of the grounde : vse within the compasse of your sayde sixe hils , ( vnderneath the Poales that you haue fastened togither in the tops , ) to rayse three little bankes 〈◊〉 thwart from hyll to hyll , as though you woulde make your sixe hylles to bee but three .

two men building a shelter for planted hops

If you thinke that you haue not Poales ynowe to fylle the roume , pull downe the Wyths or bandes lower , & your roume will be lesse .

¶ Of tying of Hoppes to the Poales .

WHen your Hoppes are growne about one or twoo foote high , bynde vp ( with a Rushe or a Grasse ) such as declyne from the Poales , wynding them as often about the same Poales as you can , and directing them alwayes according to the course of the Sunne , but doe it not in the morning when the dewe remayneth vpon them , if your leysure may serue to doe it at any other time of the day .

If you laye softe greene Rushes abroade in the dewe and the Sunne , within twoo or three dayes , they will be lythie , tough , and handsome for this purpose of tying , which may not be foreslowed ,

man tying plant stems to poles for it is most certaine that the Hoppe that lyeth long vpon the grounde before he be tyed to the Poale , prospereth nothing so wel as it , which sooner attayneth therevnto .

¶ Of hylling and hylles .

NOwe you must begyn to make your hils , and for the better dooing therof , you must prepare a toole of Iron fashioned somewhat like to a Coopers Addes , This toole is here aboue better proportioned , than that on the other side following . but not so much boowing , and therfore lykest to the netherpart of a shoouell , the powle whereof must be made with a round hole to receyue a helue , lyke to the helue of a Mattocke , and in the powle also a nayle hole must be made , to fasten it to the helue .

This helue shoulde boowe somewhat lyke to a Sythe , or to the steale of a Sythe , and it must be lyttle more than a yarde long .

scythe

Some thinke it impertinent and not necessary to make hylles the first yere , partly bicause their distrust of this yeares profite quallifyeth their diligence in this behalfe , and partly for that they thinke that the principall roote prospereth best , when there be no newe rootes out of them forced and mayntained . But experience confuteth both these coniectures , for by industrie , the first yeares profite will be great , and thereby also the principall settes much amended , as their prosperitie in the seconde yeare will plainely appeare .

But in this worke you must be both paynefull and curious , as wherein consisteth the hope of your gaynes and the successe of your worke . For the greater in quantitie you make your hylles , the more in number you shall haue of youre Hoppes , and the fewer weedes you shall haue on your grounde , the more Hoppes you shall haue vpon your Poales .

In consideration whereof , I say , your labour must be continuall from this time till the time of gathering , in raysing your hylles and cleering your grounde from weedes .

In the first yeare that you plant your Hoppe-garden , suppresse not one science , but suffer them all to clyme vp to the Poales , for if you shoulde burie or couer all the springs of any one of your three rootes , which you did latelye set , the roote thereof perisheth , and perhaps out of some one roote there will not proceede aboue one or twoo springes , which being buryed , that roote I saye dyeth , and therefore the more poales are at thys time requisite .

After the first yeare you must not suffer aboue twoo or three stalkes at the most to growe vp to one Poale , but put downe and bury all the rest .

Howbeit , you may let them all grow till they be foure or fyue foote high at the least , whereby you shall make the better choyce of them which you meane to maintaine , whereby also the principall roote will be the better . &c

Some suffer their Hoppes to clyme vp to the toppes of the Poales , and then make the hilles at one instant of such quantitie as they meane to leaue them , which is neyther the best nor the seconde waye .

But if ( for expedition ) you be driuen here vnto , begin sooner ( that is to say ) when the Hoppes be foure or fyue foote long , and afterwardes if leysure shall serue , refreshe them againe wyth more earth .

But to make them well , and as they ought to be made , you must immediatly after your poales are set , make a little banke or circle rounde about the outside of them , as a mention how wide your hyll shall be , and as a receptacle to retayne and keepe moysture , wherof there cannot lightly come to much , so it come from aboue .

If your Garden be great , by that time that you haue made an end of these circles or banks , it will be time to proceede further towardes the buylding vp of your hylles .

Nowe therefore returne agayne to the place where you beganne , or else where you see the Hoppes highest , and with your toole pare of the vppermost earth from the Alleys or spaces betweene the hylles , and laye the same to your Hoppes , vppon and within the circle that you made before , alwayes leauing the same highest of any part of the hill , and so passe through your Garden againe and againe , till you haue raysed your hylles by little and little , to so great a quantitie as is before declared , and looke howe highe your hylles is , so long are your newe rootes , and the longer your newe rootes or springes be , the more larger and better your Hoppes will be .

Great and ouergrowen weedes shoulde not be layd vpon the hylles , as to rayse them to their due quantitie , but when with diligence and expedition you passe through your Garden , continually paring away eche greene thing assoone as it appeareth , you shall doe well , with the same ; and the vppermoste moulde of your Garden togither , to maintaine and encrease the substance of your hylles , euen till they be almost a yarde highe .

man tending to high plants with long tools

In the firste yeare make not your hyll to rathe , least in the dooing therof you oppresse some of those springes which woulde otherwise haue appeared out of the grounde .

Abuses in hylling .

SOme obserue no time , and some no measure in making their hylles , but ( hauing hearde say that hylles are necessarye ) they make them they care not when nor howe .

Some make hylles once for all , and neuer after plucke downe the same , but better it were to make no hill , than so to doe , for after the first yeare it doth derogate , & not adde any comfort to the roote , if it be not newe made and dressed . &c.

Some vse to breake off the toppes of the Hoppes when they are growen a .xj. or .xij. foote high , bicause thereby they barnish and stocke exceedingly , wherein though I cannot commende their dooings , yet doe they much better than such as will haue their Poales as longe as their Hoppes .

But if your Poale be very long , and that the Hoppe haue not attayned to the toppe therof before the midst of Iuly , you shall doe well then to breake or cut of the toppe of the same Hoppe , for so shall the residue of the growing tyme serue to the maintenance and encrease of the braunches , which otherwise woulde expyre without dooing any good in that matter , bicause that whole time woulde then be employed to the lengthening of the stalke , which little preuayleth ( I say ) to the stocking or increase of the Hoppe .

And here is to be noted that many couetous men , thinking ( in haste ) to enlarge their lucre , doe fynde ( at leysure ) their commoditie diminished , whylest they make their hylles to thicke , their Poales to long , and suffer to many stalkes to growe vppon one Poale , wherein ( I saye ) whyle they runne awaye flattering themselues with the imagination of double gaynes , they are ouertaken with treble dammage ( that is to say ) with the losse of their time , their labour , and their cost .

¶ Of the gathering of Hoppes .

AT what time ( or rather before ) that your Hoppes begyn to chaunge colour ( that is to say ) somewhat before Michaelmas , you must gather them , and for the speedyer dispatch thereof , procure as much helpe as you can , taking the aduantage of fayre weather .

To doe the same in the readyest and best order , you must pull downe foure hylles standing togither in the middest of your Garden , cut the rootes of all those hilles as you shall be taught in the Tytle of Cutting . &c. Then pare the same plot , leuell it , throwe water on it , treade it , and sweepe it , so shall it be a fayre floore , whereon the Hoppes must lye to be picked .

Then beginning neare vnto the same , cut the stalkes a sunder close by the toppes of the hylles , and if the Hoppes of one Poale be growen fast vnto another , cutte them also a sunder with a sharpe hooke .

You may make the Forke and Hooke ( which cutteth a sunder the Hoppes that grow togither ) here is instrument to serue both these turnes , as as is here after shewed .

Then you may with the forked ende , thrust vp , or shooue off , all such stalkes as remayne vpon eche Hoppe Poale , and carie them to the floore prepared for that purpose .

two men removing plants from poles

For the better dooing hereof , it is very necessarie that your Poales be streyght without scrags or knobbes .

In any wise cut no more stalks than you shall cary away within one houre or twoo at the most , for if in the meane time the Sunne shyne hote , or if it happen to rayne , the Hoppes ( remayning cut in that sorte ) will be much impayred thereby .

Let all such as helpe you , stande rounde about the floore , and suffer them not to pyngle in picking one by one , but let them speedily strype them into Baskets prepared ready therefore .

It is not hurtfull greatly though the smaller leaues be mingled with the Hoppes .

Remember alwayes to cleere your floore twice or thryce euery day , and sweepe it cleane at euery such time , before you go to woorke againe .

If the wether be vnlyke to be fayre , you may carie these Hoppes into your house in Blankets or Baskets . &c. and there accomplish this work . Vse no lynnen hereabouts , for the Hoppes will stayne it so , as it can neuer be washed out .

If your Poales be scraggye , so as you cannot stryppe the stalkes from them in this order , you must pull them vppe with mayne force , and this is paynefull to your selfe , hurtfull to your Hoppes , and a delaye to your worke .

Then must you lay these Poales vpon a couple of forked stakes driuen into the grounde , being twoo or three yardes distant one from another , as Spittes vpon Raunges , and so dispatch this businesse if the wether be fayre , if it be lyke to be fowle , you must be fayne to carie the Hops togither with the Poales into your Barne or house .

In any wise let not the Hoppes be wet when you cut them from the hylles , neyther make any delay of gathering after the same tyme of cutting , for in standing abroade they will shed their seede , wherein consisteth the chiefe vertue of the Hoppe , and hereof I cannot warne you to often , nor to earnestly .

Nowe by order I shoulde declare vnto you , the manner of drying your Hoppes , but bicause I must therwithall descrybe the places meete for that purpose , with manye circumstances appertayning therevnto , I will be bolde first to finish the worke within your Hoppe garden , and then to leade you out of the same , into the place where you must drye your Hoppes . &c.

When your Hoppes are gathered , assoone as you haue leysure , take vp your Poales and pyle them ( that remaine good ) as I haue shewed you in the tytle of Poales .

Then carie out your broken Poales , and the Hoppe strawe to the fyre .

Nowe may you depart out of your Garden , tyll the Marche following , except in the meane time you will bring in dunge or good earth to the maintenance therof , towards the heigthening of your hylles , or else will plowe it . &c.

What there is to be done in Winter herein .

TO be curious in laying dunge vpon the hylles in Winter , as to comfort or warme the rootes ( as some doe ) it shall be needelesse , rather plucke downe the hylles , and let the rootes lye bare all the Winter season , and this is vsually done where Hoppes are best ordered , especially to restrayne them from to rathe sprynging .

If the grounde be great that you keepe , you shall be driuen so to doe , otherwise you shall not be able to ouercome your worke in due time .

In any case you must auoyde new horsedung as a very noysome and pernicious thing for your Hoppes .

Stall dung is the best that can be wyshed for to serue this turne , so it be throughly rotten .

Rather vse no dunge than vnrotten dunge about the dressing of your Hoppes , but omit not to bring into your Garden dung that maye there be preserued till it be good , or needefull to be vsed .

¶ The order for reforming your grounde .

IN March you shall returne to your Garden , and finde it replenished with weedes , except by tillage . &c. you haue preuented that matter already . It must ( as well therefore , as bicause the earth maye be the more fyne , and easie to be deliuered vnto the hylles ) be digged ouer or plowed .

¶ The order of cutting Hoppe Rootes .

man cutting back plant roots

In the dooing hereof be carefull that you spoyle not the olde settes , as for the other rootes which are to be cut awaye , you shall not neede to spare them to the delay of your worke .

Take heede that you vncouer not anye more than the toppes of the olde settes in the first yere of cutting .

At what time so euer you pull downe your hylles , cut not your rootes before the ende of March , or in the beginning of Aprill , and then remember the wynde .

In the first yeare ( I meane ) at the fyrst time of cutting and dressing of your rootes , you must ( with a sharpe knyfe ) cut awaye all such rootes or springes as grewe the ye are before , out of your settes , within one ynch of the same .

man cutting back plant roots

There groweth oute of the olde settes certayne Rootes ryght downewardes not ioynted at all , which serue onely for the nourishing and comfort of those sets or principall rootes : there be other lyke vnto them growing outwarde at the sides of the settes .

If they be not met withall , and cut a sunder , they will encumber your whole Garden .

Bicause it maye seeme harde to discerne the olde settes from the newe springes , I thought good to aduertise you howe easye a thing it is to see the difference therof , for fyrst you shall be sure to fynde your settes where you did set them , nothing encreased in length , but somewhat in bignesse enlarged , and in few yeares all your settes will be growen into one , so as by the quantitie that thing shall plainely appeare : and lastlye the difference is seene by the colour , the olde roote being redde , the other whyte , but if the hylles be not yearely pulled downe , and the rootes yearely cut , then in deede the olde settes shall not bee perceyued from the other rootes .

If your settes be small , and placed in good grounde , the hyll well mayntained , the newe rootes will be greater than the olde .

If there growe in any hyll a wylde Hoppe , or whensoeuer the stalke waxeth redde , or when the Hoppe in any wise decayeth , pull vp euerye roote in that hill , and set newe in their places , at the vsuall time of cutting and setting .

Of diuers mens follyes .

MAny men seeing the springs so forward , as they will be by this time , are loth to lose the aduauntage thereof , and more vnwilling to cut awaye so many goodlye rootes , but they that are daungerous in this behalfe , take pitie vpon their owne profyte , and are lyke vnto them that refrayne to laye dung vpon their corne lande , bicause they woulde not beraye it with so vncleanlye a thing .

And some that take vppon them great skyll herein , thynke that for the fyrste yeare they maye be left vnhilled and vncutte . &c. deceyuing themselues wyth this conceypte , that then the settes prosper best wythin the grounde when they sende least of their nature and state out of the grounde . In this respect also they pull awaye or suppresse all such springs ( as soone as they appeare ) which growe more , and besides them which they meane to assigne to each Poale , as though when a mans fingers were cutte off , his hande woulde growe the greater . In deede if there be no hyll maintayned , then the moe springes are suffered to growe from out of the principall roote , the more burden and punishment it wil be to the same . But when the springs are maintayned with a hill , so much as remayneth within the same is conuerted into rootes , which rather adde than take awaye anye state from the principall roote , in consideration hereof , the suppressing of the springes maye not be too rathe , for whatsoeuer opinion be hereof receyued , the many springes neuer hurt the principall roote , if the hylles be well mayntained , but it is the cumbring and shadowing of one to another that woorketh the annoyance .

When you haue cut your Hoppes , you must couer them as you were taught in the tytle of setting , and proceede according to the order alredye set downe .

Of disorders and maintayners thereof .

SOme there be that despyse good order , being deceyued with a shewe of increase which sometimes appeareth in a disordered grounde , to them I say and say it truly , that the same is a bad and a small increase in respect of the other .

I saye also that although disorderly dooings at the first may haue a countenance of good successe , yet in fewe yeares the same , and all hope thereof will certainly decay .

Some other there be that despise good order , satisfying themselues with this , that they haue sufficiently to serue their owne turne , wythout all these troubles , and surelye it were pittie that these shoulde be troubled with any great abundaunce , that in contempt of their owne profite , and of the common welth , neglect such a benefite profered vnto them .

¶ Of an Oste.

NOwe haue I shewed vnto you the perfect platforme of a Hoppe garden , out of the which I led you for a time , & brought you in againe when tyme required , and there woulde I leaue you about your businesse , were it not to shew you by description such an Oste as they drie their Hoppes vpon at Poppering , with the order thereof . &c. Which for the small charges and trouble in drying , for the speedie and well drying , and for the handsome and easie dooing thereof , may be a profytable patterne , and a necessarie instruction for as many as haue , or shall haue to doe herein .

Of the seuerall Roumes for an Oste .

FIrst a little house must be buylt , of length xviij . or .xix. foote , of wydenesse eyght , wherein must be comprehended three seuerall roumes .

The myddle and principall roume must be for your Oste , eight foote square . The forepart which is to containe your greene Hoppes , and the hinder part which must receyue your dryed Hops , will fall out to be fyue foote long , and eyght foote wyde a peece .

The chiefe matters that are to be by mee descrybed herein , are the Furnace belowe wherein the fyre is to be made , and the bed aboue whereon the Hoppes must lye to be dryed : this I haue chieflye to aduise you of , that you buylde the whole house and euery part thereof as close as you can , and to place it neare to your Garden for the better expedicion of your woorke , and somewhat distant from your house to auoyde the danger of fyre .

Of the Furnace or Keele .

THe floore or nether part of your Furnace must be about thirteene ynches wyde .

The depth or heygth thereof must also be thirteene ynches .

The length of it must be about sixe or seauen foote ( that is to saye ) reaching from the forepart of the Oste almost to the further ende thereof , so as there be left no more roume but as a manne may passe betweene the wall and the ende of it .

It must be made wyde belowe and narrowe aboue fashioned in outwarde shape somewhat like to the roofe of an house .

It must haue hoales at each side , the length of one Bricke a sunder , and not the bygnesse of halfe a Bricke , placed checkerwise .

furnace

Of the bedde or vpper floore of the Oste , whereon the Hoppes must be dryed .

THe bedde or vpper floore whereon the Hoppes shall lye to be dryed , must be placed fyue foote aboue the nether floore , whereon the furnace standeth .

The two walles at eche side of the house serue for the bedde to rest vpon two wayes .

Nowe must two other walles be buylt at ech ende of your Oste , whereon the other two parts of the bedde must rest , and by this meanes shall you haue a close square roume beneath , betwixt the lower floore and the bedde , so as the floore belowe shall be as wyde as the bedde aboue .

These two walles must also bee made fowre foote aboue the bed ( that is to say ) nine foote high .

At the one ende belowe , besides the mouth of the furnace , you must make a little doore into the roume beneath the bedde . At the other ende aboue the bedde you must make a windowe to shooue off from the bed the dryed Hoppes , downe into the roume belowe prepared for them .

The bedde should be made as the bedde of any other Oste , sauing that the Rayles or Lathes which serue therefore must be sawen verye euen one ynche square , and layde one quarter of an ynche asunder .

placement of furnace

And nowe once agayne wishing you to make euery doore , windowe , and ioynte of this house close , I will leaue buylding , and proceede to the drying of Hoppes , sauing that I maye not omit to tell you , that you shoulde eyther buylde all the walles of this house with Bricke , or else with Lyme and Haire pargit ouer all the walles , postes , and beames thereof , or at the least , that roume wherein the furnace standeth .

And although I haue delayed you from time , to time , and brought you from place to place , and tediously led you in and out , and to and fro in the demonstration herof , yet must I be bold to bring you round about againe , euen to the place where I left you picking , from whence you must speedily conuey your pyckt Hoppes to the place built and prepared for them , and with as much speede hasten the drying of them .

The orderly drying of Hoppes .

THe first businesse that is to be done herein , is to go vp to the bedde of the Oste , and there to receyue Baskets fylled with Hoppes , at the handes of one that standeth belowe .

Then beginning at the further ende ( least you shoulde treade on them ) laye downe Basketfull by Basketfull , till the floore or bedde be all couered , alwayes stirring them euen and leuell , with a Cudgell , so as they may lye about a foote and a halfe thicke , and note that vpon this Oste , there is no Oste cloth to be vsed .

Nowe must you come downe to make your fyre in the furnace , for the kindling whereof your olde broken Poales are very good , howbeit , for the continuaunce and maintenance of this fyre , that woode is best which is not too drie .

Your Hoppe stalkes , or anye other strawe is not to be vsed herein .

You shall not neede to laye the woode through to the farther ende of the furnace , for the fyre made in the forepart therof , will bende that way , so as the heate will vniuersally and indifferently ascende and proceede out of euery hole .

You must keepe herein a continual and a hote fyre , howbeit , you must stirre it as little as you can .

Neyther may you styrre the Hoppes that lye vpon the Oste , vntill they be throughly dryed .

When they are drie aboue , then are they redy to be remooued awaye , and yet sometimes it happeneth that ( through the disorderly laying of them ) they are not so soone drie in one place , as they are in another .

The waye to helpe that matter , is to take a little Poale ( wherewith you shall sensiblye feele and perceyue which be , and which be not drye , by the ratling of the Hoppes which you shall therewith touch ) and with the same Poale to turne aside such Hoppes as be not drie , abating the thicknesse of the moyst place .

When your Hoppes are drie , rake vp the fyre in such sort as there may be no delay in the renuing thereof .

Then with expedition shooue them out of the windowe before mentioned into the roume prepared to receyue them , with a Rake fashioned like a Coale Rake , hauing in steade of teeth a boorde of one foote broade .

This being done , goe downe into the lower floore , and sweepe togither such Hoppes and seedes as are fallen thereinto , and laye them vp among the dryed Hoppes , and then without delay couer the bedde againe with greene Hoppes and kindle your fyre .

Laye your dryed Hoppes on a heape togither till they be colde , and by this meanes suche as were not perfectlye dryed through some disorder vpon the Oste , shall nowe be reformed .

If they haue bene well ordered , they will nowe be browne , and yet bright .

If they be blacke and darcke , it is a note that they are disordered .

The Flemings pack them not vp before they sell them to the Merchant , but lay them in some corner of a Loft where they treade them close togither .

Other maners of dryings not so good .

SOme vse to drye their Hoppes vppon a common Oste , but that waye there can be no great speede in your woorke , nor small expence of your woode , besides the daunger of fyre , and yll successe of your dooings .

On this Oste you must haue an Oste clothe , otherwise the seede and Hoppes that fall downe shall not only perish , but endaunger the burning of your Oste .

Vpon this Oste you may not lay your Hoppes aboue eyght or nine ynches thicke , which neuerthelesse shall not be so soone drie as they which lye vpon the other Oste almost twoo foote thicke , and therfore this waye you shall make more toyle in your worke , more spoyle in your Hoppes , and more expence in your woode .

Some vse to drie their Hoppes in a Garret , or vppon the floore of a Loft or Chamber , in the reproofe whereof I must saye , that as fewe men haue roume ynough in their houses to contayne any great quantitie or multitude of Hoppes , so the dust that will arise , shall empayre them , the chynkes , creuises , and open ioyntes of your Loftes being not close byrthed , will deuoure the séedes of them , in the ende the leaues will endanger them with heating when they are packt , as being not so soone drie as the Hoppes which therby shall be vtterly spoyled in colour , in cent , and in verdure .

As for anye lowe roumes or earthen floores , they are yet woorse for this purpose than the other , for eyther they yeelde dust in drythe , or moysture in wet weather .

And therefore if you haue no Oste , drye them in a Loft as open to the ayre as may be , sweepe , wash , and rub the boordes , and let your Broome reach to the walles , and euen to the roofe of your Loft , for I can teach you no waye to deuyde the dust from your Hoppes , but so to preuent the inconuenience hereof .

Stoppe the holes and chynkes of your floore , laye them not aboue halfe a foote thicke , and turne them once a day at the least , by the space of two or three weekes .

This being done , sweepe them vp into a corner of your Loft , and there let them lye as long more , for yet there remayneth perill in packing of them .

If the yeare prooue very wette , your Hoppes aske the longer time of drying .

The very woorst way of drying Hoppes .

SOme lay their Hoppes in the Sunne to drye , and this taketh awaye the state of the Hoppes , and neuerthelesse leaueth the purpose of drying vndone .

Of not drying .

SOme gather them , and brue with them being greene and vndryed , supposing that in drying , the vertue and state of the Hoppe decayeth and fadeth awaye , wherein they are deceyued , for the verdure is woorse , the strength lesse , and the quantitie must be more of greene Hoppes that are to be brued in this sort .

In the fyrst Woorte which the Bruers call the Hoppewoorte ( bicause the time of seething thereof is short ) there goeth out of these Hoppes almost no vertue at all , and therefore experience hath taught them that are driuen to brue wyth these greene Hoppes , to seeth them agayne in the Woorte , which they call the Ney beere , where after long seething they will leaue the state whiche remayneth in them , and that is not much .

¶ Of the packing of Hoppes .

IN the making of your Hoppesackes , vse your owne cunning or inuention , for I haue small skill therein , howbeit , I can tell you that the Hoppesackes that are brought out of Flaunders , may be good samplers for you to worke by , the stuffe is not daintie wherewith they are made , the Loome is not costlye wherein they are wouen , the cunning not curious wherby they are fashioned , but when you haue them , and are ready to packe your Hoppes , doe thus .

Thrust into the mouth of your sacke ( which must be doubled and turned in stronglye least it breake ) foure strong pynnes halfe a foote long a peece , placed in equall distaunce one from the other , then laye two Battes or bygge Poales crosse or thwart twoo Beames or Couplings of your house , which twoo Battes must lye no farther a sunder than the wydenesse of the Sackes mouth . Fasten vpon eche pyn a roape , and knit twoo of those Ropes vppon eche crosse Batte , so as the bottome of the Sacke being emptie , may hang within halfe a foote of the floore , then stande within the Sacke , and receiue the Hoppes , treading them downe verye harde , and before the Sacke be halfe full , it will rest vpon the ground , whereby you shall be able to presse them the harder togither .

But the handsommer waye were to make a square hole ( as wyde as the Sackes mouth ) in the floore of the Lofte , where your Hoppes lye , and to hange downe your Sacke at that hoale , and with a Scuppet or Shoouell to shooue down your Hoppes thereinto , and to receyue them as is aforesayde , when the Sacke is almost full , vndoe the Roapes , and wynde those pynnes about for the harder shutting of the Sacke , and fasten them therein .

If you lyst , you may sowe ( ouer the mouth of this Sacke ) another peece of Sackcloth , wherof you must leaue a lyttle vnsowed , vntill you haue thrust as many Hoppes as you can betweene the Sacke and the same , but in beholding the Hop-sackes sent from Poppering , you shall better vnderstande and learne the dooings hereof .

For your owne prouision you maye preserue them in Driefattes , Barrelles , or such lyke vessels , for want of roume to leaue them in , or sacks to packe them in .

There is , according to the Prouerbe , much falshoode in packing , I am vnskilfull in that Art , if I were otherwise , I woulde be loth to teache such doctrine .

But to auoyde such deceyte , and to make the more perfect and better choyce , it is vsuall and lawfull in most places where Hoppes are solde , to cut the Sacke that you meane to buye in seauen or eyght places , and to search at eche place whether the Hoppes be of lyke goodnesse .

Such places as you shall feele with your hand to be softer than the reast , you shoulde speciallye cutte , where perhaps you shall fynde Hoppes of another kynde , elder or woorse than the rest .

¶ The reformation of a Garden of wylde Hoppes .

TO reforme a Garden where the Hoppes be wylde , the worke is tedious , and none other way remayneth , but to digge ouer the same with a Spade , so deepe as you maye search out and throw out euery roote and peece of roote that may be founde in , or neare therevnto , and then to plant according to the order before declared .

¶ The reformation of a disordered Garden .

TO repayre a ruynous Garden , whiche through ignorauce was disorderlye sette , and through sloth suffered to ouerrunne and decay , where neuerthelesse the Hoppes remayne of a good kynde ( though somewhat empayred , as needes they must be , by this meanes ) the verye best waye were to doe as to the wylde Hoppe .

The seconde way is to forget that it is disordered at all , ymagining that all were well , and to set your Poales in such order , and so farre a sunder as is prescribed in that tytle , alwayes directing them right with a lyne , so as a straunger beholding them , may suppose that your Garden is kept after the best maner , then leade vnto eche Poale two or three stalkes which you shall fynde nearest therevnto , and there erecte a hyll which you maye euer after cut and dresse according to the rules before declared , and so by continuall digging , paring , and diligence , you shall at leysure bring it to some reasonable perfection .

If your Garden be verye much matted with rootes , so as it be to tedious to dygge , set your Poales as you are alredy taught , and bring into your Garden , and laye neare to euerye such place where you meane to make a hyll , one Coorte loade of good earth , with the which , after your Hoppes are tyed to your Poales , begin to make your hylle , and proceede as in the tytle of Hylles , alwayes cutting downe such Hoppes or weedes as growe betweene the sayde hylles .

If your rootes be set orderly , and your hilles made accordinglye , and yet left vndressed by the space of twoo or three yeares , it will be very hard ( I say ) to discerne the settes from the other later rootes : neuerthelesse , if your ground be good , you maye yet reforme the inconuenience thereof , namely , by pulling downe the hill , and cutting awaye all the rootes contayned therein , euen with the face or vpper part of the earth , searching also eche syde , and digging yet lower , and rounde about the roote which remayneth , and to take awaye from the same all such rootes as appeare out thereof .

¶ Needelesse curiosities vsed by the vnskilfull .

TO water your Garden , as to make the rootes growe the better , it were more tedious than needefull , for the hylling therof serueth for that purpose , and there is time of growing sufficient for them betwixt midde Aprill and August , and yet it neuer hurteth , but rather doth good , if it be before the hyll be made .

To plucke of the leaues , to the ende that the Hoppes may prosper the better , is also needelesse , and to no purpose , and rather hindereth than helpeth the growth of the Hoppes , for they are hereby depriued of that garment which Nature hath necessarilye prouided for them , and clothed them with .

To flawe the Poales , thereby to prolonge their continuaunce , is more than needeth to be done in this behalfe , for it is too tedious to your selfe , and hurtfull to your Hoppe , and little auayleth to the purpose aforesayde .

To burne the nether parte or great ende of your Poales , as some doe , to the ende they shoulde last or endure the longer , is also an vnnecessarie trouble , onelye Willowe Poales you may so vse to keepe them from growing .

To weede the Hylles with the hande , whereas the same Weedes shall be buryed by the raysing of the hyll .