14 



Itfc much easier to keep them clean by going over 

 them often, than to put it off too long; besides, weeds 

 ahado the ground and impoverish the soiL There 

 should be no trees to shade the onions, as they will 

 hardly grow in sight of one. 



If the onions grow well, the tops will fall down 

 before they are done growing; at other times they 

 will stand stiff and never fall If they fall down, they 

 are fit to pull when about three fourths of the tops 

 are dead, which is generally the last of August or the 

 fore part of September. The sooner they are pulled 

 after they are fit, the better they will keep, and the 

 brighter they will look. Commence, by pulling a few 

 rows, and lay them one side. Hoe up the weeds and 

 rake them off, then pull the next rows, and hoe off the 

 weeds as before. Continue thus through the field. 

 Pull with your hands, and lay them over carefully. 

 If the weather is good, after they have lain spread for 

 three or four days, pile them up, putting about three 

 bushels in a pile in the form of a pyramid. Let them 

 stand in this way from two to four weeks, or until the 

 tops are all dead, and if there should be heavy rains 

 during the time, the piles should be opened on a fair 

 day, and piled again. Piling them up causes them to 

 sweat, and they are then less likely to sweat after 

 carrying in. After they are properly cured, open the 

 piles on a drying day, and they will generally be fit 

 to put in the day following. Never cart them until 

 they are perfectly dry and dusty, and it should be done 

 between 11 A.M. and 4 P.M. One half the secret of 

 their keeping well, is in carting them when perfectly 

 dry. 



If they are to be disposed of before cold weather, 

 they can be kept in any dry place where they will 

 have air. The best place is on a loose floor, where the 

 air will draw under them. If they are to be kept 

 through the winter, have a tight floor, which the frost 

 can not get under. On this lay scantling, upon which 

 lay narrow boards, with cracks between them. Boarc 

 up around the outside, leaving a space of one foot be- 

 tween them and the outside partition. Arranged in this 

 way, you have a free circulation of air all around them 

 When the thermometer sinks to 20*, fill the space 

 around the outside with sea-weed, onion-tops, or some 

 thing of the kind, which easily stops the circulation o 

 air. They can be put in such a place three feet deep 

 with hay, cornstalks, or something of the kind, two fee 



HOW TO RAISE O-PTIONS. 



hick over them, and they will comt out good in tht 

 pring. Before sending to market, cut the top one 



nch from the onion. If they get frozen, let them 

 remain still and covered until thawed. Always handle 

 hem as carefully as you would apples, as a slight 

 bruise will cause them to mould and rot 



The expense of an acre of onions with me is about 

 as follows : 



20 loads of manure at $1.50 $30.00 



Carting, tnrnfng, spreading, etc. 6.00 



100 bushels ashes, at 17 cts 17.00 



Ploughing and harrowing, . . , 4.00 



Raking and sowing, 4.00 



4 Ibs. of seed, at $1, 4 00 



Hoeing four times, 6 days, 6.00 



"Weeding four times, 24 days, 20.00 



Pulling and piling, 12 days, 10.00 



Drawing in with team, two days, 6.00 



Topping 500 bushels, at 2 cts., 10.00 



Marketing, , 8.00 



Interest on land 12.00 



Total, $137.00 



A crop of onions will vary from 200 to 800 bushels 

 to the acre, according to the state of the soil, manure, 

 the care taken of them, etc. The price also varies 

 from 10 cts. to $1 per bushel. 



The red globe onion is the variety generally raised 

 for market, as it yields more than other varieties, and 

 keeps better. The silver-skin onion brings the highest 

 price, but is very apt to mould and rot before winter. 

 Some may think, 1 have been very particular in the 

 above description, but after they have had ten years' 

 experience, they will find there is yet something 

 to be learned. If you are too proud to go on your 

 knees, or have not the patience to spend much time on 

 a small place, or have not enough perseverance to do 

 the same thing over and over again, you had better sell 

 your seed, and sow your ground to buckwheat. 



Onions are a crop which generally pay a large pro- 

 fit, but sometimes the neglect of a few days will 

 spoil it. The same piece may be planted year after 

 year with success. The weeding, pulling, and topping 

 can be done by faithful boys as well as by men. 



It is estimated that from the towns of Fairfield 

 and "Westport there were sent to market last year, 

 not far from 200,000 (two hundred thousand) bushela 



