THE CULTURE OF SET ONIONS 5 



1. It is most prevalent on light soils which have been heavily fertilized; 



2. Measurements of the soluble salt concentration of the soil have shown 

 concentrations to be much higher where the trouble occurs, frequently 

 double that of soils where the growth is normal; 



3. It appears following a period of weather which is characterized by light 

 showers of varying frequency, but no heavy rains; 



4. Invariably the trouble disappears following a heavy leaching rain. 



Obviously, if 3000 pounds per acre causes trouble, topdressing with more 

 fertilizer, as is sometimes done, will only aggravate the trouble. In most cases 

 injury will be avoided if maximum rates are kept under 2500 pounds to the acre 

 of a single-strength fertilizer or its equivalent. 



Varieties of Set Onions 



Most of the set onions grown in the Connecticut Valley are of the Ebenezer 

 variety, commonly called the Japanese. This onion produces a semi-flattened 

 bulb of good size, with a medium yellow skin. The crop matures early; yields 

 are usually good; and if the small sets are properly graded as to size, few "bolters" 

 or seed stalks are formed. When the crop is grown and harvested under favorable 

 conditions, it usually keeps well in storage. 



During recent years an increasing acreage of Globe onions has been grown from 

 sets. These have been sold under several varietal names, including Golden 

 Globe, Golden Marvel, Connecticut Yellow Globe and just Yellow Globe. In 

 general. Globe onions have a round bulb with a heavy yellow skin. Ordinarily 

 they mature a few days later than Ebenezer onions. 



The Globe varieties hav'e become increasingly popular because of their high 

 yielding capacity and excellent keeping quality. When satisfactory growing and 

 harvesting conditions prevail, Globe sets will usually outyield Ebenezer sets and 

 keep better in storage. However, if weather conditions are not favorable, par- 

 ticularly as the crop approaches maturity, both the yield and the keeping quality 

 of a Globe crop are apt to be disappointing. The proportion of immature, oblong 

 "bottleneck" bulbs varying greatly in size is often large; and such bulbs not only 

 spoil the appearance of the crop, but also keep poorly in storage. 



In general, returns from Ebenezer sets are quite consistently satisfactory. 

 Although returns from Globe sets may be greater in some years, the risks involved 

 are also greater. 



Cultural Practices 



For many years all operations in the planting, cultivating, and harvesting of 

 onions were performed by hand. The labor requirement for growing an acre of 

 onions was high but the cash return was also high and, since labor was plentiful, 

 little attention was given to labor-saving methods. In recent years, market 

 prices have been less favorable and labor less plentiful and more expensive than 

 formerl}'. As a result, the large growers, and many of the smaller ones, have 

 endeavored to reduce labor requirements by the use of machines wherever possible. 

 Machines for planting small sets are in general use and small garden tractors are 

 becoming more popular. 



Machine methods have introduced some problems which did not exist when 

 only hand methods were employed. It is with these problems in mind that the 

 following operations of planting and growing are discussed. 



