730 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



~ 7 GEORGE V, A. 1917 



advances a cheesecloth protection is spread over the frames to prevent the fiy of the 

 root maggot from entering. These plants, if given proper attention develop into 

 thrifty plants which are set out about the middle to the last of June. It has been 

 found that for early heads the Copenhagen Market is one of the best when grown in 

 this way. Any of the Drumhead varieties make large heads on proper soil by the 

 time winter approaches. The Danish Roundhead, a variety having a round compact 

 head of excellent quality is one of the best for winter storage. 



Four varieties of onions were started in flats in the greenhouse March 24. The 

 flats used were shallow boxes holding soil 2^ inches deep. The seed was scattered 

 broadcast moderately thick, and covered to a depth of a quarter inch. A fairly lich 

 garden soil was used. The plants were a fair size only when planted out on May 10. 



To grow good plants at least eight weeks is required for growth in the flats and 

 the seed should be started early in March. Plants can be started in such flats in a 

 good sunny kitchen window. It is not a good plan to carry the plants at a high 

 temperature, as they grow more rapidly but the plants are liable to be weak and 

 spindly, whereas the low temperature plants are much more stocky and thrifty.' As 

 the plants grow in the flats the temperature should be gradually lowered. Good 

 plants for transplanting cannot be produced by forcing the seedlings and it is much 

 better to start the seed early, thus giving plenty of time for developing suitable 

 plants. 



The plants were well hardened off in a cold frame before planting, and set in 

 rows 1^ inches apart and 4 inches apart in the rows. 



Th6 soil on which these were grown was of medium fertility having been manured 

 the two previous years with 20 tons of stable manure per acre. The land was in 

 cabbage the previous year. The manure, which was well rotted, was applied in the 

 fall and ploughed under. In the spring this was worked up with the disc and spring 

 tooth harrow and acid phosphate at the rate of 400 pounds, and nitrate of soda at 

 the rate of 150 pounds per acre were applied. Onions like a rich soil with plenty 

 of early available plant food; poor soils will not give satisfactory returns. 



Seed was also sown in the open ground as early as the ground could be worked, 

 May 10, but the crop did not mature. It seems almost impossible to grow a profitable 

 crop of onions under our climatic and soil conditions from seed sown in the open 

 ground. On very rich soils it may be possible but certainly here it has been a failure 

 during the past two years. The reason is that the plants do not make sufficient early 

 growth to bring them to maturity early in September, and as the cool fall weather 

 with rains comes on, the plants continue to grow and do not mature. The Extra 



Kentville. 



