52 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



5. The blights and injuries to which the crop may be sub- 

 ject. 



So far as we have observed, this crop is as certain as any 

 other that is cultivated. We know that onions will not grow 

 without a reasonable proportion of heat and moisture ; but we 

 have rarely, if ever, known an entire failure of the crop, where 

 due diligence has been used. There are occasionally blights, 

 the causes of which we have not learned. The more prominent 

 will be noticed. 



Sometimes we have seen the plant covered with a small in- 

 sect or louse, that gives the top a white or light-colored aspect, 

 and stops and stints the growth. These make their appearance 

 about the time the bottoming commences. We have heard their 

 appearance charged to the use of muscle-bed, — but whether 

 they are limited to land on which muscle-bed has been used, we 

 cannot say. We think not. We think they are natural asso- 

 ciates of the plant. The effect of them is to diminish the quan- 

 tity, but not to materially injure the quality of the vegetable. 



The crop is sometimes injured by a blue mould that gathers 

 on the tops, occasioned by fogs, or an excess of moisture from 

 frequent and long-continued rains. 



There is a worm or maggot, occasionally found upon the 

 onion plant, in the early stages of its growth, causing it to turn 

 yelloiv and die. This insect will be found in the bulb, originat- 

 ing from eggs laid upon the leaves, by a small ash-colored fly, 

 the scientific name of which is said to be Antlwmyia ceparum. 

 (See Transactions of the N. Y. State Agr. Soc. for 1843, page 

 135.) It comes to maturity in less than a month ; so that there 

 may be several generations in the course of the season. Their 

 appearance in this vicinity is rare. Pulverized charcoal and 

 fire have been found the most effectual remedies against the 

 ravages of this class of depredators. 



The most annoying enemy of the onion, is the cut-worm, or 

 grub-worm. It probably is the same described by Dr. Harris, 

 in his Report on the Insects of Massachusetts injurious to Vege- 

 tation, page 324, there called " Ag?-otis devastator ;" and in 

 the 1st vol. of Silliman's Journal of Science, " Phalama noctua 

 devastator," though Dr. Harris does not mention the onion as 



