THE REWARD. 81 



Perhaps it would do as well, if not better, to reverse the 

 order of things somewhat and arrange the covering as 

 shown in Fig. 40, namely, first a layer of straw, then a 

 board resting on rafters, and finally a coat of earth well 

 patted down. 



Another very simple and convenient way is to put them 

 in a dry place, say a barn or shed floor, upon a layer of 

 straw or hay, and let them freeze. Then cover with a two- 

 feet layer of the same material, or with mats and blankets, 

 and leave them untouched until they have thawed out again 

 in spring. The onions must not be put nearer than about 

 two feet from the wall, and the space between them and the 

 latter should be filled with litter. The freezing method is 

 pretty safe in uniformly cold winters, but a little risky in 

 warm, open winters with frequent violent changes of tem- 

 perature. Never handle bulbs when frozen, and always 

 allow them to thaw out gradually. 



The Profits. 



Now for an estimate of cost of the crop and the profits 

 that are in it. In the very nature of things you will ex- 

 pect this estimate to be a somewhat rough one. The con- 

 ditions, in regard to cost of labor, of manure, of land, as 

 well as the demand for the crop and the prices that can be 

 obtained for it, vary so greatly in different localities and 

 seasons that I can give no figures which would be a safe 

 guide everywhere. 



The following I submit as a rather conservative estimate. 

 I do not desire to paint the business of growing '•' onions 

 for profit" in unduly rosy colors. The yield (600 bushels) 

 is no more than a good grower should produce under fairly 

 favorable conditions : — 



