128 ALLIACEOUS PLANTS. 



Potato On- Bulb flattened, from two and a half to three 



ion. 

 UNDEPOROUND inches in diameter, and about two inches in 



ONION. 



depth ; skin copper-yellow ; flavor sugary, mild, 

 and excellent. It does not keep so well as many other 

 varieties ; but remains sound longer, if the leaves are cut 

 two or three inches above the top of the bulb at the time of 

 harvesting. 



The Potato Onion produces no seeds, neither small bulbs 

 upon its stalks, in the manner of many of the species of the 

 onion family ; but, if a full-grown bulb be set in spring, a 

 number of bulbs of various sizes will be formed beneath the 

 surface of the ground about the parent bulb. By means of 

 these it is propagated, and an abundant, supply often secured 

 in localities where the varieties raised from seed frequently 

 wholly fail, either from the maggot, effects of climate, or 

 other causes. 



Like other varieties of onions, it requires a rich, deep 

 soil, well manured, and dry at the bottom. This should be 

 deeply and thoroughly stirred, and then raised in ridges of 

 moderate height, fifteen inches apart. In April, select the 

 large bulbs, and set them on the ridges, ten inches apart, 

 with the crown of the bulbs just below the surface of the 

 ground. The subsequent culture consists in keeping them 

 clean from weeds, and gathering a little earth about them 

 from time to time in the process of cultivation. As soon 

 as the tops are entirely dead, they will be ready for 

 harvesting. 



It is very prolific, yielding from four to six fold. Such 

 of the crop as may be too small for the table should be 

 preserved during the winter, to be set in the following 

 spring ; planting them out in April, in drills one foot apart 

 and three inches from each other in the drills, and sinking 

 the crowns just below the surface of the ground. They 

 attain their full size by September. 



