170 . x VEGETABLE GARDENING 



the seed in the ground as early in the spring as possible. 

 As soon as the land can be worked in the spring, the seed 

 should be sown, and the earlier it is sown the better. The 

 seed of some kinds can be sown in the autumn to advantage, 

 but on 4and that is inclined to "bake," it is a bad practice 

 and is seldom attempted. There is, however, a fair chance 

 of a crop even if the seed is sown as late as the first of June, 

 but a first-class crop from seed sown as late as this is almost 

 out of the question. By the middle of May, all onion land 

 should have been sown. 



The proper distance between the rows will depend 

 somewhat on the variety grown, but for ordinary purposes 

 the seed should be sown in rows twelve to fifteen inches 

 apart and covered one inch deep. About eighteen good 

 seeds should be sown to each foot of row, which will make 

 it necessary to use four or five pounds of seed per acre. If 

 there is danger of much loss from the depredations of the 

 onion maggot, more than this amount of seed should be 

 used; where maggots are very troublesome some growers 

 use as much as six pounds per acre. The seed sower 

 should be carefully tested on a floor or other smooth surface 

 before using it in the field. 



It is very important to know the germinating qualities 

 of the seed sown, since if it is of low germination more must 

 be used than if it is of best quality. Ninety per cent of 

 good onion seed ought to germinate if the conditions are 

 favorable. It is important to study these matters closely, 

 as it is desirable to have the land well stocked with plants 

 and yet not overstocked. It is better to fail of getting 

 quite enough seed on the land as is desired, than it is to get 

 very much more than is wanted; for in the first case the 

 onions, although somewhat scattering, will be of good size; 



