Good for hops.
21
Choose soile for the hop of the rottenest mould,
well [doonged] and wrought, as a garden plot should
Not far from the water (but not ouerflowne)
this lesson well noted is meete to be knowne.
22
The Sunne in the south, or else southly and west,
is ioy to the hop, as a welcomed gest;
But wind in the north, or else northly east,
to hop is as ill as a [fraie] in a feast.
Now dig thy new hop ground.
23
Meete plot for a hopyard once found as is told,
make thereof account, as of iewell of gold.
Now dig it and leaue it, the Sunne for to burne,
and afterward fence it, to serue for that turne.
The praise of hops.
24
The hop for his profit I thus doo exalt,
it strengtheneth drinke, and it fauoreth malt.
And being well brewed, long kept it will last,
and drawing abide, if ye drawe not too fast.
[1] "forked posts."—T.R.
[2] Sts. 10-12 are omitted in 1577.
[3] goodsere. 1577.