28 The Bulletin. 



growth. When the tops have died down the onions should be pulled 

 and allowed to dry in the sun for a few days, when they should be 

 spread out thinly under cover. The tops should not be taken off until 

 the bulbs are sorted for market. 



It is an easy matter to raise onion sets at home. The seed should 

 be sown thick either in beds or in rows in April, on rather poor land. 

 The heavy seeding causes a crowding that makes many small bulbs. As 

 soon as hot weather comes the little bulbs will ripen and may be har- 

 vested. They keep best until planting time by being stored with the 

 tops on. A small set the size of a pea is as good or better than larger 

 sizes. Sets above half-inch in diameter are apt to go to seed rather 

 than make big onions. 



The growing of large onions or heavy crops requires heavy applica- 

 tions of manure and fertilizers. Some growers supply the humus by 

 leguminous cover crops instead of manure, in order to cut down the 

 expense of hand weeding. Potash is especially valuable in growing 

 onions. The following is a good commercial fertilizer for onions : 



Phosphoric Acid .... 6 per cent ^ 



Nitrogen 5 per cent V 1 to 1% tons per acre. 



Potash 8 per cent J 



Varieties : 



The E.A.RLY White Queen and White Pearl are the best early 

 onions. They are both beautiful white flat onions of very mild flavor. 

 These are especially valuable for early bunch onions. 



The Prizetaker is the best onion for transplanting. It is a heavy 

 cropper and makes a very large, handsome globe onion, that is some- 

 times sold in the market as a Spanish onion. It is not a good keeper, 

 and has to go into the market soon after harvesting. 



The Yellow Danvers is one of the best varieties for general crop 

 from seed. It is a medium-sized yellow onion that is good for storing 

 and keeping for a late market. 



PARSLEY. 



Parsley, one of the most popular of all garnishing plants, is not 

 grown to any extent as a commercial crop. Being closely allied to- 

 the carrot and parsnip, it requires the same cultural methods as those 

 plants. The seed is slow to germinate and had best be sown in a seed- 

 bed unless the ground is in fine condition and moist. Thin or trans- 

 plant to 8 to 12 inches apart each way. Parsley can remain outdoors 

 throughout the entire season or some of the most vigorous plants can 

 be potted and kept in the house during the winter. The same fertilizer 

 recommended for carrots and parsnips can be used for this crop. One 

 ounce of seed will usually plant 150 feet of row. 



Champion Moss Curled and Extra Double Curled are two leading 

 varieties. 



