ONIONS 37 



During growth the plants should have ample supplies 

 of liquid manure or approved fertilisers. Another 

 plan is to sow in the autumn the ordinary spring 

 varieties, such as Ailsa Craig or similar large varieties. 

 But most of our old kinds, such as Bedfordshire 

 Champion, will make very fine bulbs if given special 

 cultivation, by sowing in the early autumn, in land 

 specially prepared. The young plants are planted out 

 in quarters very highly manured early in the year, 

 and the seedlings kept clean, giving the plants ample 

 room, eighteen inches between the rows, and nine 

 inches apart in the row. Many of our best cultivators 

 make a special compost for exhibition roots ; deep drills 

 are drawn, in which some rich food, such as soot or 

 fowls' manure is placed ; over this being placed some 

 of the best soil, and all made firm. The bulbs being 

 very carefully lifted from their previous quarters, 

 the roots are spread out, and enough space left 

 in the trench to admit of liquid food and water. 

 The onion is so useful as an article of food that, 

 both as a salad plant and for flavouring, it is in 

 great demand ; but the larger bulbs I have referred 

 to are most useful as a vegetable, few vegetables being 

 more wholesome. In many gardens this crop is not 

 well managed, but at times it is not the grower who is 

 wholly to blame, as the seasons and numerous pests to 

 which the plants are subject, are responsible for much. 

 Drought, too, is harmful, and to get the best results 

 early sowing is advised ; it is necessary to get the 

 quarter ready as early in the winter as possible, 

 as then the land is in better condition. In heavy 

 clay land the soil is not always workable at the 

 season advised, and in such land it is well to add 

 lighter materials. This allows a more fibrous root 

 growth, and gives finer bulbs. The ordinary system 

 of culture is to sow on land well worked, which 



