HORTICULTUEB 



January 3, 1914 



A GRAND ONION (Gigantic Gibraltar) 



■^Tiile this onion is by no means new it is compar- 

 atively unknown to the majority of gardeners. But 

 among onions grown for exhibition it ranks very high — 

 in fact almost stands alone. Ailsa Craig, Cranston Ex- 

 celsior and Prize-Taker are known to and have been 

 grown by most of us, but Gigantic Gibraltar is some- 

 thing in tlie nature of a "bolt from the blue,"— albeit a 

 very" welcome one as it has proven itself to be superior 

 to all the rest. A deeper green than any of the other 

 onions, it is quite distinct in foliage and almost free 

 from that glaucous tint which characterizes most of the 

 onion family. Its size and its high average of first-class 

 bulbs never" fail to command our notice. Whereas, in 

 growing Ailsa Claig we are fortunate if we secure from 

 fifteen to twenty per cent, of exhibition bulbs, we can 

 depend on forty per cent, from Gigantic Gibraltar— 

 with its far better keeping qualities. 



As the time rapidly approaches when next year's show 

 onions must be sown, a few words on their culture will 

 not be out of place. Growing a few of these large onions 

 affords a peculiar pleasure to the enthusiastic gardener ; 

 for what plant responds so generously to liberal feed- 

 int' and general good culture? Besides this is one of the 

 few vegetables that loses none of its finer qualities when 

 grown to the limit, and after maturity keeps for many 

 months — a monument to the skill of the grower; so 

 unlike the large chrysanthemum bloom whose glory is so 

 evanescent, its reign never exceeding a few brief days. 



Secure good seed from a reliable firm and sow — 

 either sing-ly in small pots or scattered very thinly over 

 a fiat or pan — about the last week in January. Allow 

 the seed to germinate in a temperature of about 60 

 degrees and, if sown otherwise than in the small pots, 

 prick out singly as soon as the seedlings are large enough 







to handle. Except for purposes of germination always 

 use a soil that is fairly rich in manure; a small addi- 

 tion of bone meal is generally beneficial. I prefer pot 

 culture to flat culture because it presents better possi- 

 bilities for individual treatment, and the condition of 

 the roots may be examined with greater ease. It should 

 be needless to tell the ambitious grower to anticipate 

 sudden changes in temperature, to keep the soil from 

 becoming too dry, and to attend to the repotting before 

 the soil in the pots becomes impoverished. A tempera- 

 ture ranging from 55 degrees to 60 degrees nights and 

 60 degrees to 65 degrees days — with all the air and 

 sunshine the weather conditions will permit — is best 

 calculated to aid them on the "even tenor of their way." 

 Inure them gradually to outside conditions by removing 

 to cold-frames about the end of April — removing the 

 sashes entirely on the fine days. By the 15th to the 

 20th of May the plants (if well grown) should have 

 attained a four to five inch pot size and should be 

 planted out. Manure the soil heavily with a good grade 

 of farm-yard manure, a light dressing of bone and a 

 little lime. In planting see that every root system is 

 opened out, carefully and gently but firmly pressed into 

 intimate contact with the soil. If the soil is on the dry 

 side give a good watering at once, scuffle the surface over 

 the next day and keep it loosened up at all times until 

 about the middle of June when the soil will be suf- 

 ficiently warmed up to warrant a mulch. This mulch 

 may be some spent mushroom bed material, partially 

 decayed leaves, or any other suitable material ; taking 

 care that the mulch is not too gross. Daily syringings 

 with the hose during bright hot weather will encourage 

 rapid growth and aid in keeping thrips off the plants. 



