120 ALLIACEOUS PLANTS. 



intermixed with flowers. Some of these bulbs occasionally 

 produce a second umbel, on scapes of from six to eight inches 

 in length, but of much smaller dimensions than the princi- 

 pal one. 



The variety is cultivated in rows, like other leeks ; and 

 the bulbs will remain sound several months after they have 

 ripened. 



Small Early Leaves long, narrow, dark green ; stem small. 

 Netherland. 



Thomp. On this account, it is not so valuable as many 



SMALL SUMMER 



BBABAMT. others lor a main crop : besides, it sown at the 

 same time, it is liable to run to seed before winter. A small 

 sowing, however, may be made with advantage for early use. 



Yellow Poitou. A remarkably large variety ; the leaves hav- 



Thomp. 



ing sometimes measured five feet in length, and 

 six inches in breadth. They are of a yellowish-green color. 

 The underground or blanched portion of the stem is yellow- 

 ish-white, and is more tender than that of any other variety. 

 On this account, and also for its large size, it deserves culti- 

 yation. The great length of the leaves makes it important 

 that more space should be allowed between the plants than is 

 usually allotted to other varieties. 



THE ONION. 



Allium cepa. 



The Onion is a half-hardy biennial plant : the roots and 

 leaves, however, are annual, as they usually perish during 

 the first year. The bulbs, for which the plant is generally 

 cultivated, are biennial, and differ to a considerable extent in 

 their size, form, and color. The flower-stalk, which is 



