No. 8. 



Cultivation of Onions. 



251 



effect of the muscle-bed is congenial to the 

 growth of the onion, giving those who live 

 in the vicinity of rivers where it is found, a 

 special advantage over those who are re- 

 mote 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 

 advantageously applied on onion land. 



Compost marmre 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 ope- 

 rating manure is better for the onion ; one 

 that will give them an early start, and ad- 

 vance them as fast as possible, in the first 

 part of the season. The utmost vigilance 

 and activity are 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 labour 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 vicini- 

 ty, stable manure, or muscle-bed, or leached 

 ashes, or a mixture of these, will be a better 

 application. The quantity ordinarily ap- 

 plied annually is from four to five good 

 loads 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 col- 

 lected, it is benefitted much by a free appli- 

 plication of elbow grease in its preparation. 

 The cultivator of the onion must work early 

 and late, and in good earnest. Nothing 

 short of forcible and persevering labour will 

 answer. No man who is afraid of soiling 

 his hands or the knees of his trousers, will 

 do to engage in this business. Close work 

 at the proper time, is the only sure guaran- 

 tee 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 

 cultivation of the seed. By the application 

 of this care, the character of the article 

 raised may bo modified almost at pleasure. 

 Until within a few years ihejiat onion, hol- 

 low about the stem, has been preferred. The 

 thinner the handsomer. But it is now under- 

 stood, that the round, thick, plump onion, is 

 preferable in many respects. It is thought to 

 yield better, and weigh heavier. It is found 

 to have a decided preference in the market, 



commanding ten per cent, more in price. By 

 selecting those of most desirable form, which 

 ripen the earliest, and carefully setting them 

 for seed, where they will not be exposed to 

 the impregnation of the baser sorts, the 

 quality has been materially changed and im- 

 proved. These peculiarities in the onion 

 were first noticed in this vicinity by Mr. 

 Daniel Buxton. He was careful to select 

 in the field before the crop was gathered, 

 such onions as he preferred, and to preserve 

 them for seed. 



By so doing, the seed which he raised 

 soon acquired a character superior to any 

 other. Many of those who had been accus- 

 tomed to raise their own seed in the ordina- 

 ry way, laid it aside, and purchased seed 

 raised by Mr. Buxton, and found their ac- 

 count in so doing. There are three varie- 

 ties of the onion raised in this vicinity — the 

 Silver-skin, the Red, and the White onion. 

 The Silver-skin is the predominant species, 

 and more cultivated than all others. The 

 Red is preferred by some — sells better in 

 some foreign markets, but does not yield so 

 abundantly. The While onion yields as 

 well as either of the others, is milder and 

 preferable for immediate use; it will not 

 keep as well, and is not fit for exportation ; 

 which is the principal use made of our 

 onions. 



The common drill machine is used for the 

 distribution of the seed. This admits of 

 regulation, so as to scatter it more or less 

 thick ; and in this there is room for the ap- 

 plication of sound judgment. The usual 

 quantity sown is about three pounds to an 

 acre. As a general rule, we should say, 

 one pound of good seed was the proper quan- 

 tity for a quarter of an acre of land of good 

 quality well prepared. It is desirable to 

 have the seed planted as thick as they will 

 grow fairly, both to secure a full crop, and 

 prevent the onion growing too large. Onions 

 from one to two inches in diameter being 

 preferred to tliose of a larger size. The 

 skilful cultivator carefully looks after all 

 these incidents relating to his crop. 



4. The care necessary to be applied while 

 growing. 



Much of the success of the crop depends 

 on this care. At first the plant is extremely 

 tender, and requires to be handled with much 

 caution. Any derangement of the fibres or 

 roots of the young plant, is attended with 

 prejudicial consequences. Much attention 

 is necessary to prevent weeds gaining the 

 ascendancy; and in eradicating the weeds. 

 Want of due care in this is often the cause 

 of failure of a crop. We have known the 

 present season, a highly promising crop to 

 be injured twenty per cent, at least, by per- 



