AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



493 



Onion continued. 



from the roof of a dry, cool shed. The seeds keep fairly 

 well for two years, but cannot be depended upon after- 

 wards. 



FUNGI. Onions, and their allies, Leeks, Chives, &o., 

 are liable to be much injured by the growth on them of 

 several kinds of parasitic Fungi, which belong to groups 

 noted for the harm done by them to cultivated plants. 

 Each group is described under the headings noted below ; 

 hence, we shall not give any full account of the species 

 here, but shall refer our readers to those headings. All 

 the Fungi bore into and through the tissues of the host- 

 plants ; hence, no external applications are of much use. 

 The best thing to be done is, therefore, to remove and 

 burn all the affected plants, in order to prevent the spread 

 of the disease. The most hurtful species of Fungi on 

 Onions are : (1) The Onion Brand (Puccinia minta 

 = P. Allii), which produces yellow and brown patches of 

 spores on the leaves and flower-stalks (see Pnccinia) ; 



(2) the Onion Smut (Urocystis cepulce), filling the 

 bulbs with a black mass of spores (see Urocystis) ; 



(3) the Onion Mildew (Peronospora Schleideniana), 

 which causes a whitish-grey bloom on all the young 

 leaves, and fills all parts with its mycelium (see Perono- 

 spora) ; and (4) the Onion Mould (Mucor subtilis- 

 simus), which penetrates the tissues at the top of the 

 bulb, and also of the bulb itself, and forms in them mul- 

 titudes of small black bodies (sclerotia) like grains of 

 gunpowder. These emit mycelial tubes in moisture ; and, 

 when the tubes reach the air, the branches form, at 

 their tips, small bladders (sporangia), full of spores, which 

 are set free by the bursting of the bladders. 



SORTS. There are over twenty sorts of Onions which 

 may be considered distinct, and forms of one or another 

 of these are in some cases named as new kinds almost 

 indefinitely. The majority answer equally well for sowing 

 both in spring and autumn ; but there are some that do 

 not obtain a season sufficiently long to ripen them, unless 

 sown in the autumn. Of these the Tripoli, or Italian, 

 and Lisbon varieties are examples ; the whole of the 

 Silver-skinned section (except for pickling purposes), may 

 also be sown in autumn with good results, as they form 

 bulbs so early the following spring. Spring-sown Onions 

 are, generally speaking, the most important as a crop, and 

 the majority of cultivators who have not to maintain a 

 continuous supply, limit their operations to the one 

 season's growth. Produce of medium size, so long as 

 it is solid and thoroughly ripened before being stored, is, 

 as a rule, more useful for ordinary purposes than large 

 specimens ; size and shape are, however, most important 

 conditions where exhibiting is practised. 



Brown Globe. Bulbs of medium size, somewhat globular, with 

 high crown and dark or reddish-brown skins. An excellent keep- 

 ing variety, and one which is much esteemed. MAGNUM BONUM 

 is a good form of this. 



Onion continued. 



FIG. 734. DEEP BLOOD-RED ONIONS. 



Deep Blood-red. Bulbs of medium size, or rather small, 

 flattened, and generally of an even outline ; the inner part is 

 pure white, while the outer coats vary in colour from dull, 

 to deep glossy, red. A very strong-flavoured, solid Onion, and an 

 excellent keeper. See Fig. 734. 



EARLY WHITE NAPLES ONIONS. 



Deptford. Bulbs medium, flattened or oblate, with a small neck ; 

 skin dark reddish-brown ; flesh solid, tinged with red. A good 

 keeping variety, of excellent quality; very hardy, and ripens 

 early. SYN. Brown Spanish. 



FIG. 736. JAMES'S KEEPING ONION. 



Early White Naples. An early form of the Silver-skinned 

 section, excellent for sowing in autumn, as it produces useful 

 little bulbs early in spring. SYN. Early Nocera. See Fig. 735. 

 PARIS SILVER-SKIN is very similar to this, but is somewhat 

 later in forming bulbs. It does not keep long. 



FIG. 737. NAPLES GIANT ROCCA ONION. 



Flat Tripoli. Bulb large, roundish, with a thick neck ; flesh 

 reddish, soft, of mild and excellent quality, but soon decays after 

 being stored. Should be sown in autumn. 



