214 THE HOME ACRE. 



The chief insect enemies are onion maggots, the 

 larvae of the onion fly. These bore through the 

 outer leaf and down into the bulb, which they 

 soon destroy. I know of no remedy but to pull 

 up the yellow and sickly plants, and burn them and 

 the pests together. The free use of salt in the 

 fall, and a light top-dressing of wood-ashes at the 

 time of planting, tend to subdue these insects ; but 

 the best course is prevention by deeply cultivat- 

 ing and thoroughly enriching in the fall, leaving 

 the ground rough and uneven for the deep action 

 of frost, and by sowing the seed very early in 

 spring. I have found that the insect usually 

 attacks late-sown and feeble plants. If the mag- 

 got were in my garden, I should use the little 

 sets only. 



Some special manures have been employed in 

 attaining the greatest success with this vegetable. 

 In England, pigeon-dung and the cleanings of the 

 pigsty are extensively employed. In this country 

 the sweepings of the hen-roost are generally re- 

 commended. It should be remembered that all 

 these are strong agents, and if brought in contact 

 with the roots of any vegetable while in a crude, 

 undiluted state, burn like fire, especially in our 

 climate. What can be done in safety in England 

 will not answer under our vivid sun and in our fre- 

 quent droughts. These strong fertilizers could be 



