620 REPOET OP THE COMMISSIONBK OP AGRICULTURE. 



Onions range from $1 to $2.50 per bushel crate. The crop, however, 

 if properly grown and of the large varieties, may reach 800 liushels or 

 more. 



The onion produces seed the second year, and, if carefully saved from 

 well-shaped bulbs, Southern-grown is as good as any. The seed-stalks 

 of some of the large foreign varieties are 5 feet high and need to be sup- 

 jtoited. The seed is ripe enough for gathering when the pods com- 

 iiuMif^e to burst open. The stalks are then carefully cut over a pail or 

 ()i)en bag to avoid waste of a part of the seed, and when more fully 

 1 i 1 )eiied thrashed out. At Ndrfolk onions are not grown for market from 

 I he seed. Sets of the Potato onion are put out in August and Septem- 

 ber and those of the Silver skin and Yellow Danvers in Tebruary. 



There is no known remedy against the two insects which infest the 

 onion. They penetrate the bulb in the ground, and the first indication 

 of their presence is the death of the plant. 



The Pea {Pisum sativum). 



In consequence of the number of laborers required to pick the crop 

 peas are generally only planted near the cities, bringing in there the 

 first proceeds of the season. 



The Early Alpha (wrinkled), the Philadelphia Extra Early, and the 

 Daniel O'Eourke are the favorite early varieties, and the Black Eyed 

 and White Marrowfat the favorite large late varieties generally planted. 



A plant so hardy as the pea may be grown in Florida at any time in 

 winter. It is planted in the latitude of Savannah about November 20, 

 following a little later with the early varieties, but about December 1 

 is early enough, and it is best to make the plantings at intervals of a 

 few days. Only when the pea is in bloom or pod is it likely to bo hurt 

 by any degree of cold usual in this latitude. 



For the early varieties especially the soil should be warm and dry, a 

 light sandy loam being the best for all. The wrinkled sorts are partic- 

 ularly apt not to come up in moist and cold soil. Good st.able manure 

 applied in the drill at the rate of twenty-five to thirty loads is the best. 

 The seed is sown in double drills 10 inches apart on ridges 4A^ to 6 feet, 

 and in the drills an inch to IJ inches apart, according to varieties, either 

 by hand or a seed drill, which puts in both parallel drills at the same 

 time and about 1^ inches deep. 



During cultivation of the pea the soil should be hoed up to the stems. 



All but the smallest dwarf varieties bear better when they arc 

 " bushed " or " stuck," which is done as soon as they commence to run 

 or form clasping tendrils. The cost of sticking peas near Savannah is 

 from $3 to $5 per acre. It is not done near Norfolk. 



The early varieties admit of about five pickings, the later one or two 

 more, yielding from 150 to 200 crates per acre, and selling at from $1.5^* 

 lu $5.00 per bushel crate. 



No pods should be picked while yet flat, and none should be packed 

 \\ liicli are discolored or rough from overripeness. 



The crates should be thoroughly shaken down and be. overfull when 

 nailed up. 



Tiie two weevils, Bruchus jpisi and B. granarius, are only injurious to 

 the seed. 



The Potato {Solanum tuberosum). 



Of all the crops of the truck farmer the potato is most extensively 

 grown, as well near the cities as at distant points. 

 A variety to be suited to the truck farmer should be productive at the 



