Vegetables with Edible Bulbs 139 



acre of onions to four weeks old by the old method, and 

 have the field free from weeds. 



After the seedlings have grown large enough in the seed- 

 bed to be handled easily, they should be transplanted into 

 the field. The rows should be marked off about 12 inches 

 apart, if they are to be worked by hand ; if by horse power, 

 the rows must be from 20 to 24 inches apart. A simple 

 rake-like contrivance that has teeth at proper intervals 

 will serve the purpose of a marker. If the marker is wide 

 enough to mark out six or eight rows at once, it will be 

 found steadier than a small one. All that is necessary is 

 to make a mark for a guide, the lines or marks need not be 

 deep or broad. A revolving marker may be made by 

 fastening a thin rope around a wooden roller and inserting 

 pegs at proper intervals in the circumference ; it will lay 

 off distances and be a good guide in planting. If the pegs 

 have been put so they will make a dot every 12 inches in 

 the row, all that is necessary is to set a plant on each 

 dot, and then put three between. These dots are especially 

 desirable if one has boys and girls at work. In Texas a 

 sectional roller is used which marks several rows at once, 

 and has conical pins which form the holes in which the 

 plants are to be set. 



For setting the plants, a small flat dibber is used; 

 a home-made one will serve the purpose well. A piece of 

 seasoned hard wood, 1 inch square and 6 inches long, 

 should be shaved down to a flat point, and a handle fixed 

 across the top. Such a tool can be made easily and 

 quickly, or one may have steel ones made by a blacksmith ; 

 these will be found better, but where a good many hands 

 are being worked, the expense will be worth considering. 



