24 THE NEW ONION CULTURE 



use, therefore, we take the utmost pains to get the rows 

 perfectly straight. When we start in right once, the 

 rest is easy enough. Usually I get the first row in 

 straight line, if it is a rather long one, by setting 

 three stakes as a guide. We begin straight and try 

 to keep straight. It eases our conscience, and avoids 

 offense to the eye. I now mark only one way, leaving 

 it to the eye, to practice, and to good judgment, to 

 maintain the proper distance between the plants in 

 the row. 



Fig 20— TRACING WHEEL MARKER 



How is the planting done? In the first place it 

 should be remembered that plant setting, like seed 

 sowing, is always done most easily and most con- 

 veniently when the ground is freshly prepared. We 

 can then set nearly or fully twice as many plants in 

 the same length of time, as a few days later after 

 the ground has again become hard or packed down 

 by rains. 



If the ground is freshly prepared, and as loose 

 and mellow as we should expect it under the circum- 

 stances, I prefer to set the plants with the fingers 

 alone, and without the use of a dibber. It is a simple 



