ONION SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION. 



87 



there is at least an inch of air space between the onions in one crate and 

 the bottom of the crate above. 



To facihtate handling there is a central alley running lengthwise through 

 the building. A derrick for lifting the crates is operated in this alley. 

 Cross alleys running from one pair of ventilators to the opposite pair 

 provide for the free circulation of air. 



Fig. _'U, — Onion topping machine. This machine is now used by six or 

 seven of the leading onion growers in the valley. Its capacity is from 

 600 to 1,000 bushels per day. The elevator which carries the topped 

 onions into the bags is lowered to a horizontal position when the ma- 

 chine is at work. 



2. Bins. — Bins for storage are usually 8 feet wide and 15 feet deep, 

 having portable shelves which slide into position on supports at each side. 

 On this shelving onions are placed from 6 to 8 inches deep, allowing a 

 2-inch space for air circulation above each shelf. This is the cheapest 

 method of storing as far as labor is concerned, and the up-keep is also 

 small. Considerable attention, however, must be paid to the upper tier 

 of bins, because the heat seems to affect onions stored in this way more 

 than those stored in crates. They grow and rot much more quickly. 



