34 ONIONS FOR PROFIT. 



scatter the seed in them thinly but evenly, or drop a 

 pinch of five to eight kernels every six inches in the row, 

 cover by drawing a steel rake lengthwise of the row, and at 

 last firm the soil by walking heel-to-toe fashion over each 

 row, or by means of any ordinary roller. The use of the 

 seed drill, however, is by far the most convenient and 

 satisfactory way. 



People who grow onions and other vegetables for their 

 own use only, usually are not in the position to possess or 

 use a garden drill. Many have not even a hand wheel-hoe, 

 which I consider much more indispensable for them. I 

 myself seldom use a seed drill in the home garden, as I find 

 that hand sowing is much more convenient and expedient 

 for the comparatively short rows and the great variety of 

 small seed lots. The majority of home gardeners usually 

 prefer to buy rather than grow what dry onions they may 

 need. If they can once be induced to give the new way, 

 hereafter described, a thorough trial, I am sure they will find 

 it easier and more convenient than the old method, and 

 too satisfactory in every way to be again abandoned. 



The New Onion Culture. 

 In my experiments with the Prizetaker and Spanish King 

 onions, then yet novelties, in 1888 and 1889, and while 

 trying to make every seed count, I discovered several 

 things new to me. One is that few vegetable plants stand 

 the transplanting process with greater ease than onion seed- 

 lings; another, that the crop can be made to mature 

 several weeks earlier by starting the plants under glass 

 and setting them out in the open in early spring; a 

 third, that not only the size of the individual bulbs, but 

 also the number of bushels per acre can be largely increased 

 by these means ; a fourth, that the dreaded task of weeding 

 is reduced to a minimum ; and a fifth, that the crop is made 



