54 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



properly instructed, will do about as much as men. They are 

 more nimble, and can come at the work with greater facility. 

 The sorting of the onion is frequently done by girls as well as 

 by boys. From three to five dollars a week, at one cent a 

 basket, are usually earned by them during the period of har- 

 vesting — which includes the months of September and October. 

 After the crop is taken off, if the surface is sloping, it is useful 

 to plough furrows about one rod apart, to keep the surface from 

 washing. Unless this is done, all the herbage being gone, much 

 of the soil will be likely to be misplaced, by the melting of 

 snows and running of water in the spring. 



The inquiry arises, whether the growth of the onion is limited 

 to soils of particular character, or whether it can be cultivated 

 upon any good soil, with proper attention. We know that there 

 is a popular impression, that there are but few places in which 

 the onion can be cultivated advantageously. So far as our own 

 observation has extended, this impression is in a great measure 

 erroneous. Like every other plant, the onion grows best on 

 very good soils, in very good condition. But we have known 

 very fair crops on plain, light land, after the same was well 

 saturated with manure, muscle-bed or ashes. A good substratum 

 must be laid before a good crop can be expected ; and this being 

 done, a crop may be expected on almost any soil that will sup- 

 port other vegetables. 



If we were asked, what course is best to be pursued with 

 land on which onions have never been raised, to bring it into a 

 condition for a successful cultivation of the crop ; we should 

 say, begin by ploughing to the full depth of the nutritive soil, 

 and during the first and second years, thoroughly subdue and 

 mellow the soil by the cultivation of crops of corn and carrots, 

 with liberal dressings of manure ; then thoroughly incorporate 

 with the soil a dressing of strong manure, and muscle-bed just 

 covering this dressing; then harrow the surface thoroughly, and 

 clear it of all roots, weeds, or other obstructions ; then apply a 

 coating of lively, well-rotted manure to the surface, and bush- 

 harrow it ; and then it will be in a condition to receive the seed, 

 which is to be inserted as soon as the opening of the spring will 

 admit of its being done. 



