ONION 83 



Yet it is often done, and the result is a stiff-necked generation of 

 bulbs that refuse to ripen, or there may be complete failure of the 

 crop through disease or plethora. But any fertiliser that is at hand, 

 whether from the pigstye, or the sweepings of poultry yards or pigeon 

 lofts, may be turned to account by the simple process of first making 

 it into a compost with fresh soil, and then digging it in some time in 

 advance of the season for sowing, and in reasonable but not exces- 

 sive quantity. All such aids to plant growth as guano, charcoal, and 

 well-rotted farmyard manure, may be used advantageously for the 

 Onion crop ; but there are two fertilisers of especial value, and 

 costing least of any, that are universally employed by large growers, 

 both to help the growth and prevent maggot and canker. These are 

 soot and salt, which are sown together when the ground is finally 

 prepared for the seed, and in quantity only sufficient to colour the, 

 ground. They exercise a magical influence, and those who make 

 money by growing Onions take care to employ them as a necessary 

 part of their business routine. 



SPRING-SOWN ONIONS require to be put on rich, mellow ground, 

 the top spit of which is of a somewhat fine texture, and at the time 

 of sowing almost dry. Having been well dug and manured in good 

 time, the top spit only should be dug over when it is finally made 

 ready for the seed. The work must be done with care, and the beds 

 should be marked off in breadths of four feet, with one-foot alleys 

 between. Lumps must be broken with the spade, and the surface 

 should be worked to a regular but very slight convex. A skilful 

 workman will make it as even as if cast in a mould without once 

 touching either rake or hoe. Light soil should be trodden over to 

 consolidate it, and may then be just touched with the rake to im- 

 prove the surface, when it is ready for the seed. Onions are sown in 

 March and April at distances varying from six to twelve inches, 

 according to the character of the sort and the size of bulbs required. 

 The drills must be drawn across the bed, at right angles to the alleys, 

 for when drawn the other way it is difficult to keep the ground 

 properly weeded. Make the drills very shallow for ripe keeping 

 Onions, but they may be two inches deep for thick-necked Onions 

 that are to be used as Leeks, and the growth of the neck may be 

 promoted as the plants grow by earthing them up. But for keeping 

 Onions, the seed should be only just covered with fine earth taken 

 from the alleys and thrown over, after which the drills must be lightly 

 trodden, the surface again touched over with the rake, and if the soil 

 is dry and works nicely, the business may be finished by gently 



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