GROWING ONION SEED 69 



the crop, and there is no danger of rain spoiling the 

 seed. The moisture 1 necessary for the roots the grower 

 can supply from his irrigation canals whenever re- 

 quired, thus practically making the climate to suit 

 himself. Most of the work can be done outdoors 

 which greatly facilitates the handling of the crop. 

 There is another factor which comes to the aid of the 

 California seed grower, and this is the availability of 

 cheap temporary labor. When work is pressing ho 

 can hire any number of Chinamen for a day or week 

 until his crop is in safety. Fig 45 gives an idea of 

 the large scale at which this industry is carried on, 

 showing a partial view of a thirty-seven-acre field of 

 onions for seed, at Santa Clara, the plants just coming 

 into bloom. Fig 46 presents a section of a field of 

 Prizetaker onions ready for harvesting. 



