88 ESSAY ON ONIONS; 



years in succession. The effect being to harden the land, and make too 

 much of a crust about the surface. Without question the effect of the 

 muscle-bed is congenial to the growth of the onion, giving those who 

 live in the vicinit}^ of rivers where it is found, a special advantage 

 over those who are remote from it. 



Leached ashes are also a valuable manure in the cultivation of the 

 onion ; more so when leached than before. All kinds of ashes are ad- 

 vantageously applied on onion land. 



Compost manure made of meadow mud and droppings from the 

 cattle, we have known advantageously applied on onion fields ; but 

 we have many doubts as to this being the best application of this kind 

 of manure. A more lively and quickly operating manure is better 

 for the onion ; one that will give them an early start, and advance 

 them as fast as possible, in the first part of the season. The ut- 

 most vigilance and activity is used by our cultivators in getting their 

 land ready, at an early period of the season, for the reception of the 

 seed. It is the first field labor of the Spring. The use of compost 

 manure will depend much upon the constituents of the soil with which 

 it is mixed. If the soil be a sandy loam, with a porous subsoil, the 

 compost will do tolerably well ; but if it be a black soil, with a clayey 

 subsoil, such as are most of the lands where onions are raised in this 

 vicinity, stable manure, or muscle bed^ or leached ashes, or a mix- 

 ture of these, will be a better application. The quantity ordinarily 

 applied annually, is from four to five cords to the acre. Whatever 

 is applied, should be generously applied. It will be vain to expect 

 full crops of onions, without full manuring. When the manure is 

 collected, it is benefitted much by a free application of elhoiv grease 

 in its preparation. The cultivator of the onion must work early and 

 late, and in good earnest. Nothing short of forcible a,nd persevering 

 labor will answer. No man who is afraid of soiling his hands or the 

 knees of his trowsers will do to engage in this business. Close work 

 at the proper time, is the only sure guarantee of a good crop. 



3. The raising and planting of the seed. 



In relation to the onion, as well as all other vegetables, much 

 care is necessary in the selection of the plants for seed, and the cul- 

 tivation ot the seed. By the application of this care, the character 

 of the article raised may be modified, almost at pleasure. Until 

 within a very few years, the fiat onion^ hollow about the stem, has 

 been preferred. The thinner the handsomer. But it is now under- 



