David Grandison Fairchild

“ This Semsch variety is worthy a thorough trial in American gardens, and if a region can be found with soil and climatic conditions similar to those of Saaz, the Semsch cuttings might produce a grade of hops rivaling the latter in excellence. The benefits from imported cuttings in Saaz furnish a striking example of the value of plant introduction, and of the rejuvenation of a plant culture by growing cuttings from another region. ”

“ The roots are allowed to continue growth until the end of September, at which time the harvest begins. The cuttings which have been two seasons in the ground, the first as vertical roots and the second in the oblique position, are by this time large enough for market. In digging the horse-radish a long-bladed mattock or spade is used which enables the digger to remove not only the obliquely planted cutting, which is the marketable product, but also the new roots from its lower end, of which the cuttings for the next year are to be made. ”

“ The best hops are produced upon a peculiar red clay loam, called the Rothliegende, which lies along a small stream, the Goldbach, the waters of which are colored by the soil a warm, yellowish red. The stream overflows its banks every ten years or oftener, doing considerable damage, but leaving a deposit of rich sediment on the overflowed fields. ”

“ As the cuttings grow the holes are gradually filled up with earth until level with the ground. Although old hop plants admittedly produce a superior quality of hop, they bear scantily, and it has been found that seven years is the limit of profitable cultivation, both from the standpoint of the plants and in order to allow a suitable rotation with lucern (alfalfa) , the favorite green manure. Great stress is laid upon the pruning in the spring, care being taken that the last year's stems are cut back to the old stock, and only two or three new shoots allowed to grow. ”

“ Restaurants keep their supplies of horse-radish quite fresh for several months by planting the roots in cool cellars in moist sand, and the cuttings held over for the spring planting are kept in the same way. ”

“ This Semsch hop is superior to American varieties as known in Bohemia. The attempts which have been made to induce the Bohemian brewers to utilize our much cheaper American hops, have utterly failed. The brewers declare that American hops are worth less for brewing such beers as they have a market for. One of the best firms in Auscha informed me that in rating American hops they would class them on a par with Belgian hops, which are noted as the worst of all European varieties. ”

“ There is every reason to suppose that the Maliner Kren variety of horse-radish can be cultivated as successfully in America as in Bohemia, if the hand labor entailed by the removal of the small roots from the cuttings is not too great. ”

“ Whether the variety, when introduced, will retain its superior qualities can be determined only by experiment. A quantity of cuttings has, therefore, been imported for distribution to the State Experiment Stations, and to special growers who are already familiar with the culture of horse-radish and are willing to take the pains necessary for a careful experiment. ”

“ Hops grown on this red soil do not break to pieces so readily as those grown elsewhere, and therefore the lupulin does not fall out so easily during packing and shipping.
The value of hop soils about Saaz varies considerably, the best being valued at more than a thousand dollars per hectare (2.47 acres) . The range is from $240 to $560 an acre. The most valuable locations are valleys and hillsides sheltered from the prevailing winds, which latter whip the plants and injure them seriously.
METHODS OF TRAINING THE VINES.
Two distinct systems of culture are in practice in Bohemia. ”

“ In order to keep the new roots of a uniform diameter, and to prevent their striking deep into the soil and becoming too slender, the beds are sometimes underlaid with a porous cement pavement, a foot and a half below the surface of the ground. This pavement checks the growth of the young roots and causes them to thicken. ”

“ The lower end of the twine is fastened to a short stake driven into the ground by the side of the plant. No binders are required to fasten the plant to these twine supports. The cost, during the summer, of caring for a garden on the wire system is considered 20 per cent less than that of caring for one with poles
WHEN AND HOW CUTTINGS ARE PLANTED.
The cuttings are planted in April at the bottom of holes dug with a mattock, being placed in pairs close together with their upper ends 7 inches below the surface of the soil. ”

“ Care is taken not to injure the perpendicular roots which have formed from its lower end. All small rootlets are rubbed off from the body of the root with a woolen cloth; those that are too large to be removed in this manner being cut close with a sharp knife. ”

“ It is grown to perfection in Kuttenberg, a small village southwest of Kolin in Bohemia, whence large quantities are exported. It is distinguished by its unusually sharp penetrating taste, uniform shape, and excellent keeping qualities. ”