AN ENCYCLOPADIA 
N 
OF HORTICULTURE. 493 
Onion continued. i 
from the roof of a dry, cool shed. The seeds keep fairly 
well for two years, but cannot be depended upon after” 
wards. 
Funer. Onions, and their allies, Leeks, Chives, &c., 
are liable to be much injured by the growth on them of 
several kinds of parasitic Fungi, which belong to groups 
noted for the harm done by them to cultivated plants. 
Each group is described under the headings noted below; 
hence, we shall not give any full account of the species 
here, but shall refer our readers to those headings. All 
the Fungi bore into and through the tissues of the host- 
plants; hence, no external applications are of much use. 
y 
The best thing to be done is, therefore, to remove and 
burn all the affected plants, in order to prevent the spread 
of the disease. The most hurtful species of Fungi on 
Onions are: (1) The Onion Brand (Puccinia minta 
= P. Allii), which produces yellow and brown patches of 
spores on the leaves and flower-stalks (see Puccinia) ; 
(2) the Onion Smut (Urocystis cepule), filling the 
bulbs with a black mass of spores (see Urocystis); 
(3) the Onion Mildew (Peronospora Schleideniana), 
which causes a whitish-grey bloom on all the young 
leaves, and fills all parts with its mycelium (see Perono- 
spora); and (4) the Onion Mould (Mucor subtilis- 
simus), which penetrates the tissues at the top of the 
bulb, and also of the bulb itself, and forms in them mul- 
titudes of small black bodies (sclerotia) like grains of 
gunpowder. These emit mycelial tubes in moisture ; and, 
when the tubes reach the air, the branches form, at 
their tips, small bladders (sporangia), full of spores, which 
are set free by the bursting of the bladders. 
Sorts. There are over twenty sorts of Onions which 
may be considered distinct, and forms of one or another 
of these are in some cases named as new kinds almost 
indefinitely, The majority answer equally well for sowing 
both in spring and autumn; but there are some that do 
not obtain a season sufficiently long to ripen them, unless 
sown in the autumn. Of these the Tripoli, or Italian, 
and Lisbon varieties are examples; the whole of the 
Silver-skinned section (except for pickling purposes), may 
also be sown in autumn with good results, as they form 
bulbs so early the following spring. Spring-sown Onions 
are, generally speaking, the most important as a crop, and 
the majority of cultivators who have not to maintain a 
continuous supply, limit their operations to the one 
season’s growth. Produce of medium size, so long as 
it is solid and thoroughly ripened before being stored, is, 
as a rule, more useful for ordinary purposes than large 
specimens; size and shape are, however, most important 
conditions where exhibiting is practised. 
Brown Globe. Bulbs of medium size, somewhat globular, with 
high crown and dark or reddish-brown skins. An excellent keep- 
ing variety, and one which is much esteemed. MAGNUM BONUM 
is a good form of this. 
FIG. 754. DEEP BLOOD-RED ONIONS. 
Deep Blood-red. Bulbs of medium size, or rather small, 
flattened, and generally of an even outline; the inner part is 
pure white, while the outer coats vary in colour from dull, 
to deep glossy, red. A very strong-flavoured, solid Onion, and an 
excellent keeper. See Fig. 734. 
Onion—continued. 
i Fic. 735. EARLY WHITE NAPLES ONIONS. 
Deptford. Bulbs medium, flattened or oblate, with a small neck ; 
skin dark reddish-brown ; flesh solid, tinged with red. A good 
keeping variety, of excellent quality; very hardy, and ripens 
early. SYN. Brown Spanish. 
FIG. 736. JAMES’S KEEPING ONION, 
Early White 3 An early form of the Silver-skinned 
section, excellent for sowing in autumn, as it produces useful 
little bulbs early in spring. Syn. Early Nocera. See Fig. 736. 
PARIS SILVER-SKIN is very similar to this, but is somewhat 
later in forming bulbs. It does not keep long. 
Fic. 737. NAPLES GIANT Rocca ONION. 
Flat Tripoli. Bulb large, roundish, with a thick neck; fiesh 
reddish, soft, of mild and excellent quality, but soon decays after 
being stored. Should be sown in autumn. 
