Onions. 249 



A long season of growth is secured in several different ways. 

 One method is to sow thickly on poor ground about the middle 

 of May, and so get a crop of very small bulbs, about iin. to fin. 

 through, the same season. These are thoroughly dried and 

 stored away in small lots in a dry, cool, airy place until spring, 

 when they are planted out in March, in a similar manner to 

 shallots. A few of these will probably bolt, in which case the 

 flower stem should be cut out as soon as seen, when the bulb 

 will swell out from one side and will become a good Onion by 

 the end of the season, though one side will be slightly flattened. 

 The remainder will grow to a large size. Another way is to 

 sow very thinly in a cold frame in October, giving plenty of air 

 and growing as hardily as possible, but giving protection from 

 severe frost by a covering of mats, finally planting out in April. 

 A third method, and the one which has most to recommend it, 

 especially as it practically ensures freedom from bolting, is 

 to sow at the beginning of January in a warm greenhouse or 

 frame. Fill shallow boxes, 2iin. to 3m. deep, with light rich 

 compost (sifted old hot-bed manure with a dash of sand will be 

 just the thing), and in this sow the seed all over about iin. 

 apart, and water gently but thoroughly with tepid water ; no 

 more watering will be required until the seedlings are through 

 the soil, then water as before. Always apply the water slowly 

 through a fine rose, and stop the moment it ceases to sink into 

 the soil. If any of the seedlings come up closer than iin., thin 

 them to that distance apart. When they are 2in. high, trans- 

 plant them into other boxes, 3m. apart, using the same soil as 

 before with half its bulk of loam added. In pricking-out, the 

 soil must be made quite firm and the plants gently watered as 

 soon as the operation is completed. A week or so afterwards, 

 when they have recovered from the shift, hardening-off should 

 begin. Do this very carefully, so that the plants are not 

 suddenly exposed to cold draughts, but thoroughly, so that 

 when they are planted out they receive no check. 



Set out the plants as soon after the middle of April as soil 

 and weather permit, in rows 15in. apart, by 9in. between the 

 plants in the row. It is a good plan to shorten the leaves, but 

 the roots should be preserved intact when only a moderate 

 number have to be set out. When a large piece of ground has 



