ONION 179 



that has previously had clean culture. Cultivation 

 should begin as soon as the rows are visible, if the 

 weeds are at all numerous ; if the planting machine has 

 been used, the mark of its roller will usually allow culti- 

 vation even before the plants appear. If the Onions 

 are transplanted, the wheel-hoe should at once be used 

 to loosen the packed soil. Cultivation, except at first, 

 should not be deep, on account of the danger of injur- 

 ing the roots. The earth should always be kept away 

 from the bulbs. 



Fertilizer. Onions use up all three of the chief 

 elements of plant-food, which should be generously sup- 

 plied, as Onions require a much greater quantity of 

 food than most other crops. Manure may be applied 

 in great quantities in preparation of the land, some 

 growers using from forty to seventy-five tons per acre ; 

 it should always be supplemented by potash and espe- 

 cially by phosphoric acid for best results. After- fertili- 

 zation should be by chemicals; wood-ashes, unleached 

 and preferably of hard wood (six to eight tons per 

 acre), will supply potash as well as improve the physi- 

 cal condition of the soil. Or use potash salts in fall, 

 winter or early spring, 200 to 300 pounds muriate pot- 

 ash or 800 to 1,000 pounds kainit, per acre. Bone- 

 meal or other phosphates, 300 to 400 pounds per acre, 

 will give phosphoric acid. Nitrate of soda should be 

 "given in four equal dressings (the first just before 

 planting) 200 to 400 pounds per acre. All of these 



