Page 113 - UNESCO_Zatec_2021_A4

The lower part of the pole was inserted into the hole, a new construction in Žatec in 1856. The Žatec wire
stepped on, and the poles were slowly raised to the trellis design was perfected by F. Wachtl in Hořesedly
appropriate position with the help of forks. To the and further improved by Josef Heiyak at Dreher’s estate
left direction, the other front poles rose gradually. in Měcholupy in 1884. Since the 1890s, the Saaz hop wire
trellis has been widely used in the Czech hop growing
areas, and in a short time, it spread abroad with some
Thus the whole front of the hop trellis was modifications.
erected, and the inclined poles were tied to
each other and supported. All other poles were The Žatec hop wire trellis differs from other wire trellises.
gradually provided with trellises and wires in Its frame or edge poles are inclined, which ensures greater
the exact order. These poles were no longer stability of the entire structure erected on a hop field
lifted, but pushed forward, bringing them into and its durability. This design required a sophisticated,
position with all the wires. The frame poles were anchoring system that has been constantly improved
immediately tied to the anchor stones. This over the years.
continued throughout the plot to the other end.
Two-arm levers with short chains, special pliers, Saaz hop growing thus became famous in the world not
and special wrenches were needed to strengthen only for the excellent quality of hops but also for those
specific structures on hop fields. It was the Saaz hop wire
the structure. After the strengthening was trellis that has taken over in many growing countries and
completed, the entire hop structure was made still forms the basis of the hop field structures used today.
level. The cost of setting up this type of hop field was 25–30 %
lower than for the hop field of wooden poles-supporting
Eventually, the row wires had to be attached. That the hop vines. At the same time, the hop plants had higher
was the only job done from the ladder. The wires yields, and the hops were better (the plant did not have
were straightened with a light short two-armed to be so high because the wire they grew up had a smaller
lever. diameter than the pole, and the sun could better reach
the lower parts).
The hop structure had to be maintained every The impact of this transition to a new type of hop
year. In the winter months, mostly in January and field was extraordinary in terms of the development
February, the anchor wires were straightened of the hop industry. It has helped to increase yields 113
by turning the rollers, the so-called "špačeks," because, as less room was needed, more plants
using single-arm levers. It was also necessary to could be planted over the same area. Labour needs
repair or replace damaged or rotten poles. also dropped because the bines did not have to be

Žatec hop wire trellis with typical inclined edge poles,
th
Saaz hop growing region, early 20 century