82 THE CULTURE OF VEGETABLES 



termed a fine art department in Onion culture, one result being special 

 exhibitions, in which bulbs of great beauty and weight are brought for- 

 ward in competition for the amusement and edification of the sight- 

 seeing public. Thus when the first principles have been mastered, 

 there may be, for the earnest cultivator of this useful root, many 

 more things to be learned, and that may be worth learning, alike for 

 their interest and utility. 



The Onion can be grown on any kind of soil, but poor land must 

 be assisted by liberal manuring. A soil that will not produce large 

 Onions may produce small ones, and the smallest are acceptable when 

 no others are to be had. But for handsome bulbs and a heavy crop 

 we require a deep rich loam of a somewhat light texture, although an 

 adhesive loam, or even a clay, may be improved for the purpose ; 

 while on a sandy soil excellent results may be obtained by good 

 management, more especially in a wet season. In any case the soil 

 must be well prepared by deep digging, breaking the lumps, and lay- 

 ing up in ridges to be acted on by the weather, and if needful its 

 texture should be amended, as far as possible, at the same time. A 

 coat of clay may be spread over a piece of sand, to be thoroughly 

 incorporated with it, and, on the other hand, where the staple is clay, 

 sand may be added advantageously. All such corrective measures 

 yield an adequate return if prudently carried out, because Onions 

 may be grown from year to year on the same ground ; and thus in 

 places where the soil is decidedly unsuitable a plot may be specially 

 prepared for Onions, and if the first crop does not fully pay the cost, 

 those that follow will do so. But the plant is not fastidious, and 

 it is easy work almost anywhere to grow useful Onions. The first 

 step in preparing land is to make it loose and fine throughout, and 

 as much as possible to do this some time before the seed is sown. 

 For sowing in spring, the beds should be prepared in the rough before 

 winter, and when the time comes for levelling down and finishing, 

 the top crust will be found well pulverised, and in a kindly state to 

 receive the seed. Stagnant moisture is deadly to Onions, therefore 

 swampy ground is most unfit ; but a sufficient degree of dryness for 

 a summer crop may often be secured by trenching, and leaving rather 

 deep alleys between the beds to carry off surface water during heavy 

 rains. 



As almost any soil will suit the Onion, so also will almost any kind 

 of manure, provided simply that it be not rank or offensive. This 

 strongly flavoured plant likes good but sweet living, and it is sheer 

 folly to load the ground for it with coarse and stimulating manures. 



