260 Reviews. 



machine for this purpose. The finer and more uniformly mellow the surface 

 is made, the better. Shallow ploughing, say from four to six inches deep, 

 is usually practised. Once ploughing only in the spring, and frequent har- 

 rovvings,are practised. Before the ploughing, the dressing is usually spread 

 upon the surface of the field, so as to be covered, or intermixed in the fur- 

 row. The mingling and subdivision of it is effected by the use of the har- 

 row. 



Whether it would not be advantageous occasionally, to stir the land to the 

 full depth of the soil, is a point on which there is a difference of opinion ; 

 most of the cultivators inclining to the use of shallow ploughing only. 

 There aie some facts tending to show, that occasiotjal deep stirring of the 

 soil does no harm to the onion crop, but, on the contrary, is decidedly bene- 

 ficial. As, for instance, onions do better where carrots have grown the 

 year preceding, than after any other crop. The carrot necessarily starts the 

 soil to the depth often or twelve inches. Possibly there may be some other 

 influence upon the soil from the plant itself. Our belief is, that the thorough 

 and deep stirring of it, is the principal preparatory benefit. 



2. The manure best adapted to promote the growth. 



Any strong manure, well rotted and finely subdivided will answer. But 

 the general impression seems to be, that manure from stables, where the 

 horses are freelv fed with grain, is the best ; and that it should be at least 

 one year old, because it will not be sufficiently rotten in a less time. All 

 agree that the dressing for the land should be kept near the surface, well 

 mixed, and as fine as possible. Though we have seen, the present year, a 

 very superior growth of onions, where green manure from the barn-yard 

 was applied in the spring ; but particular pains were taken to subdivide and 

 intermingle it with the soil ; and to bush-harrow the land so thoroughly, 

 that very little of the manure was exposed upon the surface. 



Muscle-bed is frequently used upon onion land. A portion of this is 

 deemed by s^me almost indispensable. We have known the continued use 

 for half a dozen years in succession, even without other manures, with a 

 continuation of fair crops; but the general impression is, that it will not do 

 to repeat the application of muscle-bed many years in succession. The ef- 

 fect being to harden the land, and make too much of a crust about the sur- 

 face. Without question, the effect of the muscle-bed is congenial to the 

 growth of the onion, giving those who live in the vicinity of rivers where it 

 is found a special advantage over those who are remote from it. 



Leached ashes are also a valuable manure in ihe cultivation of the onion ; 

 more so when leached than before. All kinds of ashes are advantageously 

 applied on onion land. 



Corn/iost manure made of meadow mud and droppings from the cattle, we 

 have known advantageously applied on onion fields; but we have many 

 doubts as to this being the best application of this kind of manure. A 

 more lively and quickly operating manure is better for the onion ; one that 

 will give them an early start, and advance them as fast as possible, in the 

 first part of the season. The utmost vigilance and activity is used by our 

 cultivators in getting their land ready, at an early period of the season, for 



