Vegetables with Edible Bulbs 137 



This is a very important point in the success of onion- 

 growing. There is probably no other crop in which so 

 much depends on obtaining a good strain of seed. It is 

 not profitable to use old seed. It deteriorates quickly, 

 especially in a warm climate, and should usually be tested 

 before using. 



Time to sow onion seed, 



As in the case of potatoes, one should watch the northern 

 markets and crops. If onions are selling at a very low 

 price in the fall, it is clearly not wise to plant a large crop 

 for early spring, but seeding time should be delayed for 

 a month or two. A good crop never fails to bring a fair 

 return; it is unusual to sell any portion of the onion 

 crop in the southern United States for less than a dollar a 

 bushel. 



The seed may be sown in the Gulf region, any time from 

 the first of September to the first of January. The last 

 date would bring the onions into competition with the 

 crops raised in the section just north, but the price is 

 not low enough usually to make the crop cease to be 

 profitable. October is a favorite date, and one that brings 

 the onions into market after the stored crop has been con- 

 sumed. Immediately after the seed has been sown in 

 the coldframe or seed-bed, the preparation of the field 

 should be commenced. 



Seed-bed for onions. 



The seed should be sown in seed-beds or coldframes, pre- 

 pared with special care. This will require 3 to 4 pounds of 



