88 THE NEW ONION CULTURE 



following method, which is well worth a trial : "Half 

 a pint of kerosene is well mixed with a pailful of 

 some dry material, preferably wood ashes, but sand, 

 sawdust, or even dry soil will do fairly well; after 

 the plants are well up and the trouble is at hand, a 

 sprinkling of this mixture along the rows about twice 

 a week during the time the fly does its work will be 

 found a sure prevention of the trouble. After the 

 end of May there is little danger, as the onions are of 

 a good size and not so liable to injury." 



Fig 51 THE ONION MAGGOT (ENLARGED) 



i, affected onion; 2, the maggot at work; 3, the full-grown larva; 4, the 

 cocoon ; 5, the adult onion fly 



I invariably plant radishes, and often cauliflowers 

 and cabbages, in immediate vicinity of the onion patch, 

 or perhaps a few rows here and there right in it. 

 The radishes, cauliflowers, etc, appear to act as 

 "catch" plants. At least they are usually more 

 or less affected by maggots, while the onions are 

 seldom attacked. I have reason to believe that strong 

 lime water made from freshly burnt lime will kill 

 all the maggots with which it comes in contact. To 

 apply it, soak the ground around the plants so thor- 



