250 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



to be planted the roots may be shortened to lin. and the plants 

 carefully set with a dibber. They must on no account be set 

 deep, but as shallow as possible and quite firmly. During the 

 summer the ground must be kept free of weeds by hoeing, but 

 the soil must not be moved deeply, nor must any be drawn to 

 the bulbs, which should grow on the top and not partly in the 

 soil. No watering or further feeding is necessary, but frequent 

 stirring of the surface soil with the hoe will be found very 

 helpful in preserving soil moisture and promoting growth. 



Spring or Green Onions. For " Spring Onions " select very 

 rich, clean, and well-drained soil, and give it the treatment 

 recommended for autumn-sown Onions. Sow in drills, 9in. 

 apart, rather thickly, and after sowing roll lightly. Hoe as 

 soon as the plants are up and as often as possible before the 

 autumn rains set in, so as to leave the ground quite clean for 

 the winter. Hoe again in spring as soon as the ground is dry 

 enough to bear treading on. Early in spring one or two light 

 dressings of nitrate of soda will make the plants move along 

 quickly. When the crop is ready for marketing, loosen the 

 soil with a fork so that the plants will draw easily. Tie them 

 in bunches of twelve, then wash them, and tie twelve bunches 

 together to form a market bunch or bundle. The size and 

 arrangement of the bundle differs in different markets, and it 

 is always best make enquiries as to what is wanted before 

 sending. 



Pickling Onions. For this crop the ground should be rather 

 poor and dry, and worked to a very fine tilth. Sow in April, 

 thickly but evenly, broadcast if the ground is clean, but if there 

 is any doubt of this sow in drills, Gin. apart. The seed should 

 be only just covered, and the soil made firm by rolling. 

 Weeding must be well attended to, but no thinning is required 

 except in places where the plants may stand unduly close. 



Potato Onions. This Onion, although not much grown now, 

 is mild and sweet, and gives a good crop with a minimum of 

 trouble. It should be planted, just below the surface, early in 

 January, in rich deeply-worked soil, and is ready to take up 

 about the beginning of July; indeed, old cottage gardeners 

 who favour this variety plant on the longest and take up on the 

 shortest day. If the bulbs are kept out of the ground much 



