A. E. Verrill — The Bermuda Islands. 529 



At the present time, and for some years past, the early onions and 

 potatoes have been the principal crops exported. They are now 

 shipped almost entirely to New York, and are always in demand, at 

 a good price, though the import duty is unreasonably high. 



Owing to the limited amount of fertile land, and its high price, 

 and the expense of labor, intensive fanning is the only method that 

 can be profitably employed. The crops must either be such as can 

 be produced in large quantities per acre,* and in two or more crops 

 each year, like the onions and potatoes, or else one that will bring a 

 high price, like the Easter Lily bulbs. 



The cultivation of onions on a large scale began about 1830; but 

 considerable quantities had been shipped to the West Indies even 

 during the 17th century. In 1832, the crop was 253,000 pounds; 

 in 1835 it was 478,800 pounds; in 1844, 332,735 pounds. The 

 amount shipped since 1870 has varied considerably. 



Previous to 1875 it was usually less than 150,000 boxes. Since 

 1880 it has usually varied from 200,000 to 350,000 ; but in 1899 the 

 amount was 462,701 boxes, valued at £66,252, the largest crop that 

 I have seen recorded. (See table.) 



General Russell Hastings stated that in 1890-91, the amount paid 

 to the United States, as import duty, on the Bermuda onions, was 

 $104,400, at the rate of 40 cents per bushel. (Garden and Forest, 

 iv, p. 452, 1891.) Such a duty seems outrageously high on food 

 stuffs of such kinds. The soil and climate of Bermuda seem admir- 

 ably adapted for producing the finest quality of early onions. 



The variations in the size of the crop are due to several causes. 

 Some seasons are much more favorable than others, though onions 

 are less affected by this cause than many other crops. Sometimes 

 the seed, which is all imported, mostly from Teneriffe and Madeira, 

 has been scarce and not so good as usual. Two varieties are raised, 

 red and white. 



two or three good tubers, clustered close together on the short roots. Therefore 

 they are planted in drills, and much nearer together than in New England. One 

 barrel of seed potatoes will usually, in good enriched soil, produce from three to 

 six barrels of new potatoes. The United States duty is 25 cents per bushel, 

 which is an unnecessary and exorbitant tax. 



* The average amount of onions produced per acre here, under the eai'ly sys- 

 tem of culture, has been stated at 20,000 pounds. Sometimes the yield was 

 much more in good soils, and in a favorable season. It now varies widely, 

 according to the natural fertility of the soil and the nature and amount of fer- 

 tilizers used. The use of artificial fertilizers for any of the crops is quite 

 modern, but very desirable. Onion seed is planted in carefully prepared seed- 

 ling beds, from September to November. 



Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. XI. 34 May, 1902. 



