New Series, 1907. 657 



" tops " which are little bulblets that grow on the flower-stalk instead of 

 blossoms ; and from the multipliers which produce the " sets." 



Sets, tops, and multipliers are planted to obtain the early crop of 

 " bunch onions " for the spring markets. A boy who has a bed of them 

 for sale at a " nickel a bunch " is quite a capitalist. The main fall crop 

 is grown from seed. Seeds should be " tested " before planting. They 

 may be sprouted between folds of damp-cotton or blotting-paper, and 

 if the shoot of blade and root is not strong and vigorous, the seed should 

 be thrown away for it will not produce big profitable bulbs. Only the 

 best seed is good enough. Next month we shall give definite directions 

 for testing seeds. 



The finest crops are obtained by sowing seed early in the year under 

 glass, and transplanting when the ground is warm enough in the spring, 

 but few boys and girls will be able to get such a start for their bulbs. A 

 deep " flat " in a sunny window, however, would supply enough to set a 

 good sized bed in the garden. - 



QUESTIONS ON THE ONION. 



1. What parts of the onion convinces you that it is a lily? 



2. Describe the root of an onion. 



3. Describe an onion leaf. 



4. Where do the new leaves form as the onion grows? 



5. What advantage to the plant are its hollow^ leaves? 



6. Do onions blossom the same season that the seed is sown? 



7. Cut a cross-section of a " multiplier " and an ordinary onion and 

 tell how thev dift'er. 



8. Observe that the veinings on each layer of the bulb extend upward 

 on the leaves. Is not the bulb then a swollen modification of the leaves 

 formed for the protection and food of the blossom bud within? 



9. Have you ever found any wild relatives of the onion ? Wild leeks 

 in the woods, or the field and meadow garlics which taint the milk when 

 eaten by cows in pasture. How do they differ from the onion in leaf, 

 blossom or bulb? These are questions that may come into your mind 

 later in the year. 



PIGEONS AS PLAYFELLOWS. 



All boys and girls should have pets. To love and care for something 

 that is happier for your love and care is worth the while. Most young 

 folks have dogs or cats but very few have other pets. 



In a far away country I found the young persons much interested 

 in pigeons and as I watched them with these pretty little playfellows it 

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