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IRISH GARDENING 



Exhibition Onions. 



By D. MclNTosii, Damim Giirdoiis, K.-ithg-ar. 



IN the produclion of specimen onions for 

 exhibition no one of experience will deny 

 that a great amount of care and attention 

 must he given to their cultivation to obtain the 

 verv best results. At all exhibitions, where 

 veo-etables are shown to some extent, they 

 now form one of the principal attractions, and 

 ri"-htly so, because of their popularity and 

 usefulness as a vegetable, with all classes of 

 the community. Some people are under the 

 impression that these large bulbs are only of 

 service for show purposes, but that is a 

 mistaken idea, for there are no finer onions for 

 kitchen use. Large consignments of these 

 bulbs are imported annually into this country, 

 but their quality and flavour cannot compare 

 with well-grown home-produced specimens. 

 To obtain these large onions, deep cultivation 

 is one of the most important points to be 

 considered. The site should be selected in the 

 autumn, but whether it is trenched then or 

 early spring will depend upon the character of 

 the soil. If it is light, it should be done in the 

 autumn, and a good supply of well-decayed 

 farmyard manure, burnt garden refuse, and 

 any other good material be liberally worked in. 

 Should the soil be of a heavy nature, fork the 

 siu-face up in the autumn, but leave the 

 trenching till February, and then, if possible, 

 accomplish the work in fine weather. While 

 the trenching is in operation no attempt 

 should be made to fine down the surface, but 

 leave the top in as rough and lumpy a condition 

 as possible, so that it may be subjected to the 

 sweetening and pulverising influences of the 

 weather. When the work is completed, a 

 good coaling of soot should be applied, and 

 should ihc land be deficient in lime, add this 

 material also. Early in .April the whole of the 

 surface should be neatly forked over, and 

 another good dressing of soot and some good 

 vegetable fertilizer be given. The seed sowing 

 is another important point in raising young 

 plants for exhibition. A good start is not 

 everything, but often it means a great deal. 

 The firsi week in January is a good time to 

 sow the seed in well-drained pans or boxes. 

 Place some good fibrous soil over the drainage 

 to keep it in position. .\ suitable compost for 



seed sowing should consist of two parts fibrous 

 loam, one part leaf soil, and one part mush- 

 room bed manure to which should be added 

 sufficient river sand to keep it open. Fill the 

 bo.Kes to within half an inch of the top, and see 

 that the soil is made very firm. Sow the seeds 

 thinly half an inch apart all over the surface, 

 selecting only the large and plimip seeds. Cover 

 the seeds lightly, and again press down the soil 

 firmly. Give a good watering and place the 

 boxes in a gentle heat. As soon as the young 

 plants appear means must be found to place 

 them quite near the glass so that they may 

 receive all the light possible. When the seed- 

 lings are about one and a half inches high prick 

 out into other boxes, using a slightly rougher 

 mixture of a similar compost, but adding a six- 

 inch potful oi' 1-ionemeal to every bushel of soil. 

 .\gain, make the soil very firm in the boxes and 

 prick out the young plants three inches apart 

 each way. Well water in and place the boxes 

 near the glass where a temperature ranges from 

 :;5 to 60". l'"requent light syringings during 

 the day are very beneficial at this period of 

 growth. .\s soon as the plants show signs ot 

 rooting freely they should be removed to a 

 more airv position. If all has gone well, the 

 next business will be their removal to a cold 

 frame, say about the third week in March. 

 Gradually harden them oft", removing the lights 

 entirelv whenever the weather is suitable. If. 

 owing to the weather or any other cause, 

 planting has to be deferred, give a little weak 

 liquid manure to keep lliom health)- and pre- 

 vent any check to growth. Generally speak- 

 ing, the middle of .\pril is a good lime to 

 plant out. Lift the plants from the boxes with a 

 garden trowel, taking care to retain a good ball 

 ofsoilsothat the roots may be but little dis- 

 turbed. Plant firmly in rows eighteen inches 

 apart and one foot (rem pl.ml to plant. Stir 

 the surface soil lightly with a Dutch hoe, and if 

 dry weather prevails lei a thorough good 

 watering be given. Oanip over the young 

 plants two or three times a day, which will 

 prove of great assistance in enabling them to 

 become quickly established. It is always wise 

 to keep in reserve a few plants to make good 

 anv failures. It will not be long before a few 

 of tlic most promising bulbs are noted. At tliis 

 stage copious supplies ol farmyard liquid 

 manure must be given, and ihey are best given 

 duriuir the evening. When the finest bulbs 



