THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 213 



secured by employing what are known as " onion 

 sets." These are produced by sowing the ordi- 

 nary black seed very thickly on light poor land- 

 Being much crowded, and not having much nutri- 

 ment, the seed develop into little onions from the 

 size of a pea to that of a walnut, the smaller the 

 better, if they are solid and plump. These, 

 pressed or sunk, about three inches apart, into 

 rich garden soil about an inch deep, just as soon 

 as the frost is out, make fine bulbs by the middle 

 of June. For instance, we had in our garden 

 plenty of onions three inches in diameter from 

 these little sets, while the seed, sown at the same 

 time, will not yield good bulbs before August. 

 There is but little need of raising these sets, for it 

 is rather difficult to keep them in good condition 

 over the winter. Any seedsman will furnish them, 

 and they are usually on sale at country stores. 

 Three or four quarts, if in good condition, will 

 supply a family abundantly, and leave many to be 

 used dry during the autumn. Insist on plump 

 little bulbs. If you plant them early, as you 

 should, you will be more apt to get good sets. 

 Many neglect the planting till the sets are half 

 dried up, or so badly sprouted as to be wellnigh 

 worthless. They usually come in the form of 

 white and yellow sets, and I plant an equal 

 number of each. 



