292 Diseases of Truck Crops 



may also be introduced with infected soils clinging to 

 the rootlets of the sets. 



Control. It is severest in fields where onions have 

 been grown too long in the same field. Crop rotation 

 will not control nor reduce the losses from pink root 

 in the field. The use of new land, especially for the 

 seed bed, is strongly urged. 



Pink root attacks the onion, chive, shallot, garlic, 

 and leek. 



Onion Storage 



Since the greatest profits are derived when onions 

 are sold at a time of greatest demand, it is necessary 

 to store the crop. In the field, onions intended for 

 winter storage should be allowed to ripen well. The 

 degree of ripeness is indicated by a shriveling of the 

 tops, and when the outer skin of the bulbs becomes 

 dry before being pulled. The ripening process in the 

 field may often be hastened by rolling a light roller 

 on the tops to break them. After being pulled, the 

 onions are allowed to lay in the rows for several days. 

 They are occasionally stirred with wooden rakes to 

 encourage an even drying of the bulbs. After the 

 necks are clipped, the bulbs are put in crates and are 

 either allowed to dry further in the field or they are 

 carried to curing sheds where the crates remain for 

 about two weeks until finally placed in storage. 

 This method is preferred by most growers, as it is 

 not desirable to expose the red and yellow varieties 

 to the full sunlight in the field. The immature, 



