38 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



should not have grown a similar crop for some 

 seasons. Land is supposed soon to sicken of onions. 

 This depends a great deal upon culture, but there 

 is no question whatever that fresh quarters will do 

 much to ward off disease. I have seen many acres 

 of this vegetable destroyed by mildew in wet seasons 

 simply through neglect, not thinning, and sowing 

 too thickly. The grub is one of the most trouble- 

 some pests the crop is subject to, especially in its early 

 stages. But I have rarely seen the plant troubled 

 with this pest when sown early and the seedlings trans- 

 planted. Another remedy is to use salt, soot, and wood 

 ashes freely, and in old gardens it is a good plan to 

 give dressing of gas lime, say in October, and turn 

 the land up as rough as possible, frequently forking 

 over the surface early in the year to sweeten and pul- 

 verise the soil. It is far better to clear the land of the 

 pest than to give remedies during growth. The latter 

 are seldom successful, though such aids as soot and salt 

 during growth will benefit the crop. 



Spring Onions. I will take these first, dealing only 

 with medium-sized bulbs for general use. As regards 

 date of sowing a great deal depends upon the locality 

 and state of the soil. If the latter is light the seed may 

 be sown at the first favourable opportunity towards 

 the end of February, the soil being made as firm as 

 possible either by rolling or treading. A firm root 

 hold for these plants is desirable, and many good 

 growers tread the land over after sowing. In heavy 

 land more care is needed; the labour is greater in 

 preparing the bed, and often seed sowing is deferred 

 till the soil is sufficiently dry. The drills should be 

 shallow, and may be from nine to twelve inches apart. 

 The latter space gives the plant a better chance, and 

 thinning, weeding, and feeding is done more readily. 

 In covering the seed, many give a better compost in 



