248 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



best of the thinnings being transplanted to a well-prepared plot, 

 in rows from 12in. to 15in. apart, with the plants from 6in. to 

 9in. apart in the rows, according to whether the variety is a 

 large or medium sized one. 



Large Onions. Of late years there has been a steady and 

 increasing demand for large and mild Onions, of which the 

 Spanish Onion may be taken as the type. Huge quantities of 

 this class of Onion are imported annually into this country, 

 and it has now become quite customary with many housewives 

 when ordering Onions to stipulate for Spanish. This being 

 so, it is necessary that growers should make some attempt 

 to supply the demand, or the trade may ultimately pass almost 

 entirely out of their hands. There is all the more reason for 

 the effort when it is known that Onions of the type required 

 can be grown in this country quite equal to the imported ones, 

 and what is still more to the point so far as the market gar- 

 dener is concerned, they can be grown to show good profits. 



There are three points of vital importance which must be 

 observed if success is to be assured in this special culture, and 

 those are first, a deeply worked, thoroughly pulverized, and 

 very rich soil ; second, a good strain of seed of a large-growing 

 pedigree variety, one of a globular form for preference ; and 

 third, a long season of growth. 



Where this culture is seriously intended the preliminary 

 preparation of the ground must be given special attention. 

 Bastard trenching is necessary, with a generous dressing of . 

 good " fat " manure between the top and bottom spits. This 

 should be done in October, if possible, with the surface left 

 rough so that the weather can have full effect upon it. If the 

 soil is of a heavy description, apply to the surface, immediately 

 after digging, a dressing of basic slag at the rate of 5 cwt. to 

 the acre, and in February add li cwt. sulphate of potash. 

 If the soil is light give 5 cwt. kainit -in the autumn and 3 cwt. 

 superphosphate in February. In addition to the preceding, 

 on any soil, give 5 cwt. soot about the turn of the year, and 

 another 5 cwt. mixed with 1 cwt. salt at the beginning of April, 

 after which, as soon as the surface is dry, rake the ground 

 level and roll it, thoroughly if the soil is light, gently if heavy, 

 and it will then be ready for planting. 



