104 AGRICULTURE FOR COMMON SCHOOLS 



able, stable manure is not much used for fertilizing, but com- 

 mercial fertilizers are largely used. Fertilizers containing 

 a good deal of potash and phosphoric acid are desirable. 

 Land used for onion growing should be limed every six or 

 seven years. 



The onion seed should be planted in spring as early as the 

 field can be prepared. Where onions are grown on a large 

 scale the seed is sown with special hand machines. Fourteen 

 inches apart is about the right distance for the rows. About 

 four pounds of seed per acre are used. 



Onions require careful cultivation. This is usually done 

 by hand labor with hoes and hand cultivators. Those who 

 thin and weed the rows usually work on hands and knees. 

 Onions are ripe when the tops begin to fall down and die. 

 They are then pulled and thrown into rows to dry. When 

 the tops are fully dry, the onions are ready to store. Some 

 growers store them without cutting off the tops; others cut 

 off the tops. They are usually stored in bushel crates. 



If the onions are to be sold to shippers soon, the farmer 

 usually ranks up the crates in the field, covering them to keep 

 off rain. Some growers have a special shed for storing, which 

 has sides that can be opened to give a circulation of air. 

 When stored for winter they are put into cool, dry cellars, 

 and sometimes into large warehouses. Onions are heavy 

 yielders, giving 500 to 600 bushels per acre for ordinary 

 crops and frequently as much as 1,000 bushels. 



