CHAPTER V 



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A Timely Pull and Haul 



WHEN AND HOW TO HARVEST THE CROP 



Now we come to an important point in our under- 

 taking. A little neglect in pulling and hauling may 

 result in great damage, if not ruin to the crop. I know 

 whereof I speak. When grown by the new method, 

 the onions mature several weeks earlier than they 

 would if grown in the old way. If the mature bulbs 

 are left in the ground, especially if ripened somewhat 

 prematurely by a dry spell in July and August, and a 

 long period of rain should follow, as sometimes hap- 

 pens, growth will be renewed; and we might just as 

 well try to make water run up hill as attempt to stop 

 an onion from growing when once started. Of course 

 this second growth ruins the bulb for the market, 

 unless for immediate use. 



A lesson which I have learned by costly experi- 

 ence is, that the crop should be pulled just as soon 

 as the bulbs have reached maturity. 



"How am I to know, when the onions are fit 

 for pulling?" 



The tops fall over at maturity and begin to waste 

 away, the substance being gradually absorbed by the 

 bulbs. So, when the majority of the tops are dying 

 down, your time has come. Don't wait any longer, 

 especially if it is getting pretty well along in the season. 



Some of the tops may yet be green and standing 

 up like soldiers, but it matters not. Pull the crop and 

 leave on the ground. The bulbs will absorb the sub- 

 stance of the tops, and the latter dry away. 



