410 THE GARDENER. [Sept. 



sown Onions do not generally keep so well over winter as the spring- 

 sown ones, and are considered coarser, but they come in before 

 spring-sown ones ; and on some soils where the grub is troublesome, it 

 often happens that the autumn-sown ones are the only Onions which 

 come to perfection. For spring-sown ones the ground should be pre- 

 pared during winter as advised for Leeks. A rich well-worked soil 

 is necessary to the best results, and on this account many gardeners 

 grow their Onions on the same ground year after year, with better 

 results than they can attain on the rotation principles. The ground, 

 in digging, should be left rough, and levelled with the Dutch-hoe 

 early in spring. We prefer having ours in by the end of February 

 or beginning of March ; but it is better to be guided by the condition 

 of the soil than by any dates. We have found that the crop is materi- 

 ally benefited by a slight dressing of soot and wood-ashes hoed into 

 the surface at sowing time, and it is, at the same time, the best pre- 

 ventive of the maggot that we know of. A dressing of soot after the 

 plants are well up — say in June — should be given for the same pur- 

 pose, but a showery time should be chosen for this, so that the adher- 

 ing particles of soot may be washed off the leaves. Sow the seed as 

 advised for those sown in autumn, but make sure that the ground is 

 level before drawing the drills, or the seed will be apt to be raked 

 out when the ground is finished off. Draw the drills about an inch 

 deep, and cover regularly. Should the soil be of a loose sandy nature, 

 a light tread will prove beneficial, otherwise the soil will be made 

 firm enough by the treading necessary when hoeing and levelling the 

 ground, and sowing and covering the seed, &c. A firm heavy soil 

 gives the best results. In thinning them out, give them from two to 

 three inches, unless the crop is likely to be all the finer ; but moder- 

 ate, well-ripened bulbs keep best, and are generally preferred. In 

 wet seasons or late localities a difficulty will frequently be experienced 

 in getting the bulbs properly matured. The ripening process may be 

 accelerated by going over them by the end of August, and twisting 

 their neck or laying them over. By the middle of September they 

 should be pulled up, and spread in the full sun on a clean dry bottom. 

 A good place is a frame, pit, or other glass structure which contains 

 no plants requiring water, where they can be spread on a dry bottom 

 in the full sun ; but in ordinary seasons they may be matured by 

 hanging them up in the sun in nets, removing them indoors at night. 

 After they are thoroughly dry they should be divested of all husks, 

 &c, and be stored for the winter in some cool, dry place, where they 

 are safe from frost. Turn them occasionally during winter, and re- 

 move decaying ones. The best keepers are Blood Red and James's 

 Keeping. 



