OCT.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 545 



PLANTING LARGE ONIONS TOR PRODUCING SEED. 



For this purpose make choice of a piece of good, rich, light ground, 

 which dig a full spade deep, breaking it fine as you proceed ; when 

 ready, select a number proportionate to the quantity of seed you in- 

 tend to save, of the firmest, largest, and best shaped onions, and of 

 the most desirable kinds, observing that each variety is to be planted 

 separately and remote from any other. 



The middle of October, or any time between that and the end of 

 the month is the most eligible time for planting, as the bulbs will 

 have time to establish roots or fibres which will greatly support them 

 during winter, and render them less liable to injury from frost than 

 if planted at a later period. 



Having your ground dug and the roots in readiness, lay it out into 

 four feet wide beds with a fourteen inch alley between each ; then 

 strain a line about six inches within the side of a bed, and with a 

 spade throw out an opening or drill about five inches deep the length 

 of the bed, in which lay the onions, seated handsomely on their bot- 

 toms, about nine inches distant one from the other ; then with a rake 

 draw the earth into the opening so as to cover the bulbs from three 

 to four inches above their crowns ; remove the line a foot farther 

 back, plant another row as before, and so continue till the first bed 

 is planted containing four rows ; after which proceed with the others 

 in the same way to the end ; then with a spade or shovel cast over 

 the beds a slight dressing from the alleys, and finish by raking them 

 neatly, drawing off the stones and any large lumps of earth from the 

 surface. 



In March the leaves will appear above ground, after which they 

 are to be kept perfectly free from weeds ; many of the roots will pro- 

 duce three or four stalks each, which towards the latter part of May 

 will have grown to their full height, when you must be provided with 

 a sufficient number of stakes, about four feet long, to drive into the 

 ground in the rows of onions, at the distance of from six to eight 

 feet stake from stake in each and every row, to which are to be fas- 

 tened double lines of packthread, rope-yarn, or small cord, to run 

 on each side of the stems of the onions a little below their heads, to 

 support and prevent them from breaking down by wind and rain, and 

 if those are tied together at intervals between stake and stake, they 

 will the more effectually support the plants. This is the more neces- 

 sary, as when the seeds are formed, the heads become very heavy, 

 and often break down even by their own weight, where they are not 

 well secured, in which case there will be a considerable loss both in 

 the quantity and quality of the seed. 



When the seed is ripe, which is very perceivable by the capsules 

 opening, and the seed turning black, the heads are to be cut off and 

 spread thinly upon coarse cloths, in the sun, till quite dry, observing 

 to keep them under shelter at night and in wet weather ; then beat 

 or rub out the seed, fan it clean, expose it to the sun for a day or two 

 after, and put it up in bags till wanted for sowing. 



Some people plant the onions which they intend to produce seed 

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