50 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



ure. Until within a very few years, the flat onion, hollow 

 about the stem, has been preferred. The thinner, the hand- 

 somer. But it is now understood, that the round, thick, plump 

 onion is preferable in many respects. It is thought to yield better, 

 and weigh heavier. It is found to have a decided preference in 

 the market, commanding ten per cent, more in price. By selecting 

 those of most desirable form, which ripen the earliest, and care- 

 fully setting them for seed, where they will not be exposed to 

 the impregnation of the baser sorts, the quality has been mate- 

 rially changed and improved. These peculiarities in the onion 

 were first noticed in this vicinity, by Daniel Buxton. He was 

 careful to select in the field, before the crop was gathered, such 

 onions as he preferred, and to preserve them for seed. 



By so doing, the seed which he raised soon acquired a char- 

 acter superior to any other. Many of those who had been 

 accustomed to raise their own seed in the ordinary way, laid it 

 aside, and purchased seed raised by Mr. Buxton, and found their 

 account in so doing. There are three varieties of the onion 

 raised in this vicinity ; the silver-skin, the red, and the white 

 onion. The silve?'-skin is the predominant species, and more 

 cultivated than all others. The red is preferred by some, — sells 

 better in some foreign markets, but does not yield so abundantly. 

 The white onion yields as well as either of the others, is milder, 

 and preferable for immediate use. It will not keep as well, and 

 is not fit for exportation ; which is the principal use made of 

 our onions. 



The common drill machine is used for the distribution of the 

 seed. This admits of regulation, so as to scatter it more or less 

 thick ; and in this there is room for the application of sound 

 judgment. The usual quantity sowed is about three pounds to 

 an acre. As a general rule, we should say, one pound of good 

 seed was the proper quantity for a quarter of an acre of land of 

 good quality, well prepared. It is desirable to have the seed 

 planted as thick as they will grow fairly, both to secure a full 

 crop, and prevent the onion growing too large — onions from one 

 to two inches in diameter being preferred to those of a larger 

 size. The skilful cultivator carefully looks after all these little 

 incidents relating to his crop. 



