68 THE BOOK OF RARER VEGETABLES 



The Egyptian or Tree Onion, often called the Garden 

 Rocambole, throws up stems from the bulb which is 

 planted, and on this is produced a number of small bulbs 

 at the top of the main stem ; these being in a cluster, 

 they are much liked for pickling. The plant often 

 produces nearly a dozen small onions at the top of the 

 stems when well grown. These when ripe keep for 

 months if suspended from a roof in a cool place. The 

 cultivation is simple. The plants may be propagated from 

 the bulbs formed in the soil or from those on the stem 

 placed in shallow drills early in the spring, as advised 

 for the Potato Onion, but less room will suffice for the 

 bulbs planted from the stem, 6 inches apart being 

 sufficient. The growths need supports as the Onions 

 . form, and the plant matures its growth much better 

 when supported. They like a rich, light soil, and at the 

 planting it is necessary to make them firm in the soil as 

 often birds pull up the loose bulbs. 



The Welsh Onion is the Allium pistulosum, a 

 herbaceous perennial, a native of Siberia, and very hardy. 

 There are two distinct varieties, the red and white, and 

 it differs from the common Onion as it never bulbs ; the 

 roots are long and tapering, with strong fibres, and its 

 stems and leaves are hollow. Its value in the garden 

 is mostly to furnish young growths for salads in the 

 spring, and for stews and soups in a green state. Used in 

 this way it is liked for its mild flavour, and as it starts 

 into growth much earlier than our garden varieties, being 

 so much hardier, it is useful. Sown in July or August 

 it will give a spring supply ; sown broadcast a small bed 

 will suffice. We grow it near the herbs ; it makes a good 

 border plant. 



To BAKE ONIONS 



Take any of the milder flavoured Onions of good size 

 and, having removed the outer coats, boil them for about 



