COMMERCIAL TRUCK CROPS ON TRUCKEE-CARSON PROJECT. 19 



If this farmer secures the normal market price of $20 per ton, 

 making a total of $-100 per acre, he should net a handsome profit on 

 this crop. 



Another grower having 7 acres of onions kept a careful account of 

 expenses, which is given herewith, figured on a 1-acre basis: 1 



Grading and leveling land $24. 70 



Hauling manure 10. 30 



5} pounds of seed 7. 20 



225 pounds of commercial fertilizer 5. 30 



Planting, tending, irrigating, and harvesting 104. 75 



Total cost 152. 25 



It is probable that with increased experience the total cost of pro- 

 duction can be reduced below the sums mentioned. The cost of 

 $24.70 per acre for preparing the land is more than will usually be 

 found necessary. The yield of this field was not ascertained, so the 

 profits per acre can not be calculated. 



The future of onion growing.— The price received during the last 

 few years has ranged between $20 and $30 per ton. The character 

 of the Nevada climate makes it comparatively easy to keep well- 

 matured bulbs in inexpensive storage houses until the market 

 becomes favorable, which usually occurs after January 1, when the 

 bulk of the California crop has been marketed. 



Selecting and preparing hind. — None but the best soil should be 

 planted to onions, as much land which produces ordinary farm crops 

 at a profit fails utterly to grow marketable onions. Newly plowed 

 alfalfa land may do well without manure, but generally a heavy 

 application of manure should be plowed under in the fall or winter 

 and a top dressing of fine, rotted manure applied in the spring before 

 planting. After plowing, the soil must be thoroughly pulverized, 

 smoothed, and graded, so that irrigation will be uniform. 



Varieties. — Only early-maturing sorts should be planted. As the 

 Yellow Globe Danvers is productive, sells well, and is a good keeper, 

 it is' to be recommended. If a white onion of reliable keeping 

 quality can be found or developed, it should command a good market. 

 The globe type is to be preferred, as the yield will be larger where all 

 conditions are favorable. 



Planting and irrigating. — Planting should be done before April 1. 

 With rows 12 to 1 .") inches apart, from 4 to 5 pounds of good seed will 

 be required per acre. Onion seedlings are delicate and can not push 

 up through a great depth of soil. The seed is usually planted at an 

 average depth of three-fourths of an inch. The soil will require 

 irrigation before planting, if it is not already moist enough to bring 

 up the seed. The furrows should be made before irrigating or plant- 

 ing. A suitable furrower can be made by using (> by fi inch timbers 



1 All man labor is charged at the rate of $3 per day. 

 [Cir. 113] 



