2352 



ONION 



ONION 



another color. In size, down to about 1 H to 1 34 inches 

 in diameter is a good scale to use in a general way, but 

 this point must also be governed by the market. Sell 

 by sample so far as possible. 



There are three varieties of onions which take the 

 lead clearly above all others in the big markets of the 

 country, the White Globe, Yellow Globe, and Red 

 Globe. These come under different names, as South- 

 port Yellow Globe and Michigan Yellow Globe, but 

 the object in view among seed-growers is to get bulbs 

 as nearly globe-shaped as possible. The skin should be 

 thick and two or three layers deep, to prevent bruising. 



IRVING C. SMITH. 



Onion-culture in the South. 



Twenty years ago onion-growing from seed was not 

 considered practicable, and by many it was considered 

 impossible south of the Potomac. The introduction of 

 varieties from southern Europe and more careful atten- 

 tion to details of the work have made onion-growing not 

 only possible but often exceedingly profitable. 



The eastern South consumes large quantities of the 

 mild forms, such as the Bermudas. In the markets at 

 Jacksonville, Florida, these 

 are sold by the piece, fre- 

 quently retailing at 5 cents 

 and 10 cents each. The 

 southern onion-grower must 

 keep in close touch with the 

 northern and foreign onion 

 markets. In the humid 

 regions of the South, there 

 is a considerable risk from 

 unseasonable rains. In the 

 drier regions, such as a part 

 of Texas, it becomes a very 

 important and remunera- 

 tive form of vegetable-grow- 

 ing. They have developed 

 onion-growing most exten- 

 sively and have organized 

 the marketing arrangements 

 most perfectly there. 



The soil should be allu- 

 vial, sandy, and of a fine 

 texture. A level tract, freed 

 of all debris, and one that 

 can be plowed deeply, is 

 regions such land may be 

 obtained in great abundance. It is frequently used for 

 vegetable-growing, but large areas are still uncleared 

 or are used for farm crops. In the hilly regions of the 

 interior, onion lands must be sought mainly along rivers 

 or old river-beds. 



Undecomposed vegetable matter should not be 

 applied immediately preceding the crop. Even cotton- 

 seed meal should be used three weeks or more before 

 the seed is sown and then carefully incorporated with 

 the soil where the rows are to be, or if the rows are 

 to be a foot or 14 inches apart the cotton-seed meal 

 may be sown broadcast and cultivated in. 



Seed-sowing in the field occurs in the uppper districts 

 as early as the first of April or a little earlier, in the 

 central district about the last of February, while in the 

 Gulf region it may occur late in fall or any time during 

 the winter, being gauged largely by the time required 

 for the variety to mature, and the market to be met. 

 It is a good rule to put on an abundance of seed, about 

 twice as much as recommended in general, especially 

 in the Gulf region. Many fields suffer from deficient 

 stand more than from any other cause, and in some years 

 it is the only cause for an unprofitable crop. 



Good crops may be grown from sets, but the labor 

 involved and cost of the "seed" is usually so great as to 

 deter many from planting them. In using sets, they 



2591. Red Bermuda. 

 desirable. In the coast 



should be separated into three or four grades, the largest 

 size maturing earliest and the smallest last. In most 

 cases the smallest sets grow such inferior onions that 

 they had better be discarded. This takes for granted 

 that the sets were all grown at the same time and from 

 the same seed in one field. 



Nearly all the onion sets used in the South are 

 shipped in, while they may be grown as well here as 

 anywhere. In the Gulf region there is time enough 

 to grow a crop of sets after the northern crop has been 

 harvested and marketed. Thus in case of shortage in 

 northern-grown sets, it is entirely practicable to ship 

 the seed South, grow sets, and ship sets back in time 

 for spring market. 



Much has been written and spoken about raising the 

 plants in a seed-bed and then transplanting to the field. 

 While this may be practised successfully, the greater 

 quantity of onions is raised by the old-fashioned 

 method, i. e., by seeding in the drills where the plants 

 are to mature bulbs. 



In certain localities it is advantageous to plant out a 

 seed-bed before the general field will permit working, 

 and then transplant as soon as all conditions are favor- 

 able. In the upper districts of the South, seed may be 

 sown in hotbeds as early as the first of February, and 

 the plants may usually be set out by the first of April. 

 In the central South, seed may be sown in protected 

 coldframes as early as the middle of December, or in 

 an open bed in February. The earlier plants may be 

 transferred to the field by the last of February, or as 

 soon as danger from frosts is past. In the Gulf region 

 the seed may be sown during the fall in an open bed, 

 and transplanting to the field may occur when plants 

 are of proper size and favorable condition of weather 

 prevails. 



Harvesting is often attended with considerable diffi- 

 culty, and in some cases special drying-houses have to 

 be constructed to secure the crop in first-class condi- 

 tion. The crop is a perishable one, and must be pulled, 

 gathered and shipped in as short a time as possible, 

 when sufficiently mature. 



There seems to be no generally accepted plan for 

 marketing, the crop being placed in boxes, barrels or 

 bags for shipping. 



The following varieties have given good crops in 

 the hands of expert growers and may be recommended 

 for the entire South: White Bermuda, Red Bermuda, 

 Prizetaker, Yellow Danvers, Giant White Italian, Giant 

 Rocco. and Large Tripoli. Other varieties than those 

 named here have given as good or better returns, but 

 do not seem to have been so generally successful. Addi- 

 tions are Red Bermuda (Fig. 2591) for Gulf region and 

 Red Wethersfield for central and upper district. 



Black mold (Macrosporium Pom) is a disease which 

 spreads rapidly over the field, especially late in the 

 season. Some good may be done by spraying with 

 bordeaux mixture, but its application is limited almost 

 to the diseased portion. 



Another disease attacking onions is smut (Urocyslis 

 cepvlse). The name of this fungus describes it fairly 

 well. About all that can be done is to subject the field 

 to rotation, and to sow seed from smut-free districts. 

 Some years nearly all southern-grown onions brought 

 to market will be more or less infected. 



Rotting is especially severe in wet seasons when the 

 crop cannot be properly handled, and is caused by a 

 number of fungi. The best preventive is to store in a 

 dry place, and consume as soon as practicable. 



Onion fly, or onion maggot, is one of the most severe 

 pests when it enters the field. There seems to be but 

 little encouragement in combating the pest. It often 

 leaves the field as mysteriously as it appeared. This 

 disappearance has been coincident with the application 

 of some supposed remedy, and has consequently led to 

 the recommending of unreliable remedies. A thorough 

 application of ground tobacco stems down the row seems 



