ONIONS. 379 



number of bulbs to the dull, sowing the seed thickly, which will require five or six times the 

 amount for the mature crop from seed. They should be kept free from weeds, and when the 

 tops indicate that they are ready for gathering, should be pulled and stored through the win 

 ter in a cool, dry place, well ventilated. To insure their keeping well, they should be spread 

 very thinly, otherwise they will gather moisture and be liable to decay. In the following 

 spring these little bulbs may be set out as early as the weather will admit in rich land, finely 

 pulverized and mellow. They should be placed in drills from ten to twelve inches apart, the 

 bulbs being about six inches apart and lightly covered with the soil. Sufficient cultivation 

 should be given them to keep out the weeds. When they are well ripened they should be 

 pulled, dried, and stored. 



The Cultivation of Top Onions is similar to that from sets. The tops, containing 

 the small bulbs, are gathered when ripe and stored in a cool, dry place. In the spring they 

 are set out and the culture given similar to that recommended for onion &quot;sets.&quot; 



Cultivation of the Potato Onion and Shallot. The bulbs should be planted 

 in rich soil in drills about fourteen inches apart, the bulbs to be ten or twelve inches apart in 

 the rows. The planting should be as early in the season as the soil can be worked, the largest 

 bulbs to be selected, the crowns of which should be set just below the surface of the ground. 

 They should be kept clear from weeds, and a little earth gathered about them from time to 

 time in the process of after -cultivation. The harvesting should be as soon as the tops are dead. 



The Culture of Rareripes is not to be recommended very highly, as they are of 

 poor quality generally, but as small onions can be economically used for the purpose of a 

 larger growth, many farmers resort to this expedient to find an early and ready market for 

 them. As we have previously stated, this is a form of the onion that differs from the sets for 

 which they are often mistaken, by being small mature onions. These are generally selected 

 from the crop, and set out the following spring for a larger growth, as early as the condition 

 of the ground will admit. Sometimes large onions that are badly sprouted are treated in the 

 same way. They will soon begin to send up seed-stalks, which should be cut off just below 

 where the stalk begins to enlarge, and as soon as the swelled appearance of the stalk is noticed. 

 By this method, and keeping the soil free from weeds, the bulbs will grow quite fast and will 

 be ready for an early market. They require a little more room than sets, when the bulbs are 

 larger than the former. 



Cultivating Onion Seed. As the weight of the onion crop depends largely upon 

 the quality of the seed used to produce it, it is very important that the utmost care should be 

 exercised in the selection of bulbs and the subsequent attention given them in growing the 

 seed. Many prefer to buy this seed of a reliable dealer or some one who raises it, in whom 

 they have confidence. To the latter we would say unless you are able to grow that of the 

 very best quality, it will be better to buy seed of such quality than to depend upon your own 

 skill in this respect, for it is only the first-class seed that will give a first-class 

 crop, and it is not every farmer that can raise seed of that quality without consid 

 erable experience. It is of great importance that a careful selection of bulbs be 

 made, that is, a selection of the form and size that it is desired to produce in the 

 future crops. These bulbs should be set out very early in the season, in rich land and 

 be well cultivated. They should be hoed repeatedly, with all weeds kept in check, and 

 the earth kept heaped up about the stalks for protection. A frame- work of slats or a stake 

 and strings should be used for the support of the stalks and heavy seed-heads, otherwise they 

 will be liable to break or so bend over that the seed will either be injured or entirely ruined. 



When the seed-stalks indicate maturity by turning yellow near the ground, and the seed- 

 cells begin to open, the tops or heads should be cut, leaving about six or eight inches of the 



