.ABLE CROPS. 1,7, 



Time to Sow. 



9pwing variea considerably, a#d may extend from February to 

 August, according to the variety used and earliness of the district, and i1 is 

 wise to make inquiries and follow the practice of successful growers in the 

 locality. To ensure the crop ripening before the beal of summer in short- 

 soned districts, early sowing of early-maturing varieties is advisable. 

 April. May, and June arc on the average the most suitable months for 

 Seed-sowing. 



Sowing. 



The ground, having had a thorough course of preparation, should be 

 rolled and tinned for the reception of the seed, otherwise the plants will 

 run to neck and leaf. While maintaining a firm soil, the grower may 

 with advantage maintain a mulch on the surface by the movement of the 

 hoe in keeping down weeds. Though broadcasting is still practised, sowing 

 in drills is increasing in favour, and this is the system recommended. The 

 seed should be drilled to a depth of about 1 inch, and the rows 15 to 18 

 inches apart; these distances will admit of efficient weeding operations. It 

 is an important matter to have straight rows, with a uniform distance 

 between them;, it adds to the attraction of the field and facilitates the use 

 of the wheel hoe. A line may be stretched as a guide by which to drill the 

 first row ; if the spaces become irregular as the operation proceeds, the rows 

 should be straightened by means of the line. The quantity of seed required 

 per acre, if drilled, is from 2 to 3 lb., and if broadcasted, from 4 to 6 lb. 



The plants should subsequently be thinned out to about 4 to 6 inches 

 apart, hut transplanting is greatly favoured by some growers. Onion seed- 

 lings may he considered ready for transplanting when they have attained 

 the thickness of a slate-pencil. If the soil of the seed-bed has contained a 

 fair proportion of sand, the root development of the seedlings will often be 

 excessive, and may need a little trimming before they are planted again, 

 but providing the soil in the plot has been well prepared and is of fine 

 texture and reasonably moist, little harm is done. A few inches of the top 

 growth is also usually screwed off. When transplanting care should be taken 

 not to bury too deeply — merely cover the roots and base of the young bulbs 

 with soil. About 4 lb. of seed per acre is required, if it is to be drilled in, 

 and li to 2 lb. if it is to be sown in the seed-bed. The after-cultivation of 

 the crop consists of hoeing and intertillage with the hand cultivator, and 

 this should be commenced as soon as there is no danger of covering the 

 plants with soil. It is essential that all weed growth be kept absolutely in 

 check, and the surface well stirred, so as to form a mulch that will prevent 

 evaporation, especially the formation of a crust after rain. 



Harvesting. 



Onions take from six to seven months to reach con,; lete development. 

 Bending the stems over is a great aid to ripening. When the tops have 

 withered and are dry and crisp, the bulbs should be lifted; the plants are 

 simply pulled by the hand, three or four rows forming one windrow. They 

 should be allowed to remain in the sun for about five to seven days, the 

 length of time depending on the weather, but they should not be allowed to 

 6cald. If the weather is wet it may be desirable to take the bulbs under 

 cover, spreading them out in an open dry shed and turning them occa- 

 sionally. Some growers adopt the method of bunching and suspending 



