the tops are dried off. The sets can then be 

 planted in rows about a foot and a half apart, 

 six inches separating them. Take a sharp stick 

 or dipple and make a hole in the ground near 

 the line which you have set to make straight 

 rows. Place a set in each hole and let the top 

 of set be even with the surface of the ground. 

 Press the soil around the set. You will need 

 an "iron back with a hinge" if you plant a 

 large bed. Sets will grow into mature onions 

 in about eight months. The bulbs will show 

 above the ground, but they do not like to be 

 confined, so let them have their own way. 

 When the seed head starts, cut off the head as 

 the bulb needs all the sap. When the tops are 

 large and drying up bend the stalk over on 

 the ground. This will ripen the onion and 

 help it to mature. If the onion is allowed to 

 seed it will spoil it for food, as the bulb will 

 not grow round and full, but long and pithy 

 and of no use. 



Chicken manure mixed with sand and gyp- 

 sum is the best manure for onions. 



If you want to raise your own seed secure 

 large dried onions, plant them with tops even 

 with the ground. They will grow one or more 

 seed heads, but the onions will be ruined for life. 



Keep onions in a dry cellar and cut off the 

 tops. If they sprout new tops keep them cut 



T46] 



