320 The ' Principles of Vegetable- Gardening 



Reclaimed marshes, from which the roots and peat have 

 been removed, are excellent. It is also of great advan- 

 tage to have level land, as it facilitates the use of the 

 hand tools and the finger work which are so essential in 



the growing of a good 

 crop of onions. 



It is customary to 

 prepare onion land the 

 previous fall. This 

 not only insures earli- 

 ness but it also allows 

 the surface to become 

 weathered and com- 

 minuted so that it is 

 in perfect condition for 

 the seeds as soon as 

 the season opens. All 

 clods and stones should 

 be removed by a gar- 

 den rake, horse weeder, 

 or other fine- toothed tool. The land should have been in 

 good cultivation for some years previous, if possible, in 

 order that it may not contain seeds of weeds; for weeds 

 are very difficult to eradicate in an onion bed. Raw and 

 coarse stable manures are rarely used on onion lands be- 

 cause they make the land rough and keep it too open, 

 and they usually bring in seeds of weeds. Lowlands 

 usually have sufficient humus, but if they have not, it 

 may be supplied by top -dressings of old and fine ma- 

 nure. Commercial fertilizers are usually to be advised 

 in preference to fresh stable manures. It is customary 



Fig. 94. Multipliei onion beginning to 

 separate into its parts, Each part 

 will produce an onion. 



