EXPEKIENCE OF PRACTICAL GROWERS. 



11 



when pulled out, and the patch will soon be overrun, j 

 Our rule is, to stir the ground often, and never let the 

 onions suffer for want of weeding. By so doing they 

 are dressed out quickly and at little expense. Con- 

 tinue to hoe and stir the ground until the bulbs are too 

 large to work among without injuring them. Thinning 

 is unnecessary when only the above quantity of seed 

 is used. 



PULLING AND CURING. As soon as the tops have 

 died down, or nearly so, pull them. When onions do 

 well, their tops will lop over just at the top of the 

 onion, and gradually die away. The grower will 

 mainly have to be his own judge when to pull. There 

 are seasons, however, when a large proportion of the 

 onions are inclined to run to scallions or large-necked 

 bulbs, and a beginner may be at a loss what to do. 

 Many remedies have been recommended to make 

 onions bottom, but we have found them of but little 

 use. Watch them closely, and after being satisfied 

 that they are making no more bottoms, pull them not- 

 withstanding the tops may be green, keeping the scal- 

 'ions (or unbottomed onions) by themselves, as they 

 will never cure sufficiently to be housed with the other 

 onions. We would here mention that it is our opinion 

 that green or unfermented manures on ground that 

 has never raised onions, are very apt to produce the 

 above results. 



Having decided that the onions are fit to gather, 

 first pull six or eight rows, throwing them upon the 

 unpulled ones to get a start. Then hoe over and rake 

 off the strip pulled, to remove all weeds or grass, if 

 any are growing. If there are no weeds, this will be 

 unnecessary. After having cleaned off a strip, pull 

 six or eight rows more, throwing the onions together 

 with those first pulled upon the strip hoed and raked 

 off. Hoe and rake off as before, and so continue to 

 pull and hoe until the piece is finished, leaving the 

 onions spread broadcast over the surface of the field. 

 The scallions, if any, may be left to go out with the 

 weeds or refuse. Let the onions remain in this situa- 

 tion for two weeks or more, until well cured, that is, 

 until the tops have become 1 thoroughly dry. They 

 should then be turned over with a rake, as many 

 of them will be imbedded into the ground more or 

 less, gathering moisture. In a few hours after stirring, 

 with a good sun, they will be fit for housing. It mat- 

 ters not, however, if they remain in the field for 

 a month after pulling, or at least until freezing weather 

 In fact, we prefer to have them remain out as long as 

 ,t will answer, as they are very apt to sweat, heat, and 

 sprout when put in large quantities, if housed early, 

 although ever so well cured, and it is quite as conve- 

 nient to market them from the field. It is recommend- 

 ed and practised by many to pile the onions as they 

 are pulled. We have practised it, but prefer the 

 method above described. When piled, they want 

 more attention in curing, as they are very apt to hold 



moisture enough from rains to make them blacken, if 

 not opened and stirred frequently. 



HOUSING. It is highly important to have them 

 stored in a suitable place. This needs to be dry, cool, 

 and, when necessary, warm. We have housed them in 

 the cellar, but find it too damp and warm. They are 

 very liable to sprout and rot, and it is difficult to keep 

 them until spring. This, however, depends much 

 upon the dampness of the cellar. Perhaps as suitable 

 a place as can be had, unless by constructing a house 

 expressly for it, is the bay of a barn, using that portion 

 only below the first beam or sill. A tight floor should 

 be provided, and the sides lined with saw-dust, tan- 

 bark, turning-shavings, or something of the kind, to a 

 thickness of six or eight inches. A door should be 

 made at each end, so that there may be a circulation 

 of air, until compelled to close them by the severity of 

 the weather. A place of this description will hold 

 several hundred bushels, and should contain one or 

 two temporary partitions, running lengthwise, and 

 as high as the onions. This prevents them from lying 

 so compact, and tends to keep them from heating, 

 sweating, etc. Sticks, boards, or any thing of the kind, 

 placed in through them, answers a good purpose. Aa 

 soon as freezing weather sets in, close the doors, 

 and cover with straw. Those designed to be market- 

 ed before the severe cold weather comes on, may be 

 put in any place under cover. Those designed fo: 

 wintering should be put in with tops on, as they 

 sprout much less. In fact it is better to top them as 

 they are marketed, in all cases. Topping makes good 

 wet-weather employment. 



MARKETING. The producer will have to exercise 

 his own judgment as to the proper season for market- 

 ing. For a number of years past they have brought 

 the best price in the spring, yet there have been 

 springs when we have thrown away hundreds of 

 bushels. This, however, seldom occurs. Where a 

 person raises largely, it is necessary to commence 

 marketing as soon as the onions are ripe enough to 

 pull, in order to get them off in time. We have found 

 it advisable to sell whenever they bring a good paying 

 price. They should never be moved while frozen. If 

 kept covered and undisturbed while frozen, the frost 

 will leave them uninjured, unless it is too severe, and 

 often repeated. 



YIELD. Much depends upon the soil and season for 

 a large yield. The average crop is about five hundred 

 bushels per acre. A large yield oaa not be expected 

 in this section without having the soil of the proper 

 texture and a heavy manuring. The more manure, the 

 more onions. There is no difficulty in raising eight or 

 nine hundred bushels per acre. The same ground may 

 be used for many years in succession if well manured, 

 and with better success than by changing every year, 

 or every few years. Pains should be taken to destroy 

 all weeds, so that none shall go to seed upon the 



