be allowed for a
Hoppe garden, because his fatnesse and iuyce is so strong that the roote
being as it were ouer-fedde, doth make the branches bring forth leaues
in such infinite abundance that they leaue neither strength nor place
for the fruit, either to knit, or put forth his treasure, as I haue
seene by experience in many places: as for the earth which is of a
morish, blacke, wet nature, and lyeth low, although I haue often times
seene good Hoppes to grow thereupon, being well trencht, and the hils
cast high to the best aduantage, yet it is not the principall ground of
all others, because it is neuer long lasting, but apt to decay and grow
past his strength of bearing. The grounds then which I haue generally
seene to beare the best Hoppes, and whose natures doe the longest
continue with such fruit, are those mixt earthes which are clayes with
clayes, as blacke with white, or clayes and sands of any sorts, wherein
the soyle is so corrected as neither too much fatnesse doth suffocate,
nor too much leannesse doth pine: for I had euer rather haue my
Hoppe-garden desire increase, then continually labour in abatement. And
although some doe exceedingly condemne the chauke-ground for this vse,
yet I haue not at any time seene better Hoppes, or in more plenty, then
in such places, as at this day may be seene in many places about
Hartford-shire. To conclude, though your best mixt earths bring forth
the best Hoppes, yet there is no soyle, or earth, of what nature soeuer
it be (if it lye free from inundation) but will bring forth good Hoppes,
if it be put into the hands of an experienced workman.

{SN: Of the Situation.}
Now, for the situation or site of your Hoppe-garden: you shall so neare
as you can place it neare some couer or shelter, as either of hils,
houses, high-walles, woodes or trees, so those woodes or trees be not so
neare that they may drop vpon your Hoppe hils, for that will kill them:
also the nearer it is planted to your dwelling house it is somuch the
better, both because the vigilance of your owne eye is a good guarde
thereunto, and also the labours of your work-Maister will be more
carefull and diligent. A Hop-garden as it delighteth much in the
pleasantnesse of the sunne, so it cannot endure by any meanes, the
sharpenesse of the windes, frosts, or Winter weather, and therefore your
onely care is your defence and shelter. For the bignesse of your ground,
it must be ordered according to your abillitie or place