276 AMERICAN HUSBANDRY. 



when gathered green, but of full size, plump, and 

 tender, and pickled, are a very good substitute for 

 capers. The vuiegar must be prepared with spices, 

 and poured oa while hot. It is an annual plant, 

 produces abundance of fine orange-coloured flowers, 

 and may be planted in April or ]May. Supports or 

 trellises-of some kind must be provided on which it 

 can climb ; though, if planted near a fence, other 

 support may be dispensed with. 



ONION. Allium Cepa, etc. 



There are several varieties of the common onion, 

 such as the white, yellow, red, &c., but the mode 

 of culture is nearly or quite the same with all. 

 Those of medium size are the best, of firm growth 

 and well ripened. The seed should be sown early, 

 in ground prepared by digging in a liberal supply of 

 old, rotted manure. That from a pigpen is generally 

 preferred when it can be had. The ground must be 

 made fiue, the seed sown in drills about an inch 

 deep, and the rows twelve inches apart. The plants 

 must be well attended when young, by keeping the 

 earth loose about them and free from weeds. After 

 the herbs begin to form, hoeing is inadmissible, and 

 weeds, if they exist, must be taken out by hand. 

 Onions are best kept in a place very dry and mod- 

 erately cool ; if it be warm and damp, as many cel- 

 lars are, the bulbs will sprout and become worthless. 

 From four to eight pounds of seed will be requii'ed 

 per acre ; the least quantity when cultivated for the 

 bulbs, and the greatest quantity when grown for the 

 early market. 



The Welch Onion, Allium Fisf.ulosum, is hardy, re- 

 sembling much what farmers term scullions, or on- 

 ions without bulbs ; and, if left in the ground, will put 

 out leaves early, and be soon fit for the table. 



The Tree or Top Onion, Allium Proliferum, is 

 propagated by planting the bulbs of the last year, or 

 the small onions or seeds that form in successive 



