of about 500 lbs. to the acre, to be raked in at the time of 

 planting, and the other of like amount to be applied broad- 

 cast when the onions were about half grown. Those who 

 used but one application at the time of sowing were apt to 

 see surprising effects in a fine growth up to the period of half 

 maturity of the crop, and an equally surprisingly effect in but 

 little growth from this time through the remainder of the 

 season. Those who have used guano freely on their onion 

 lands in the vicinity of Philadelphia assert that one singular 

 result is, that, after applying it for three years in succession, 

 the seed onions for the most part fail to sprout in such soil, 

 and when seed is planted it makes but little growth after 

 vegetating. As far as I have observed, superphosphate of 

 lime used as a manure for a series of years is apt to give the 

 first of these results. Pig manure is held in high esteem by 

 many successful growers of onions in southern New England. 

 Fish guano applied at the rate of a ton to the acre has given 

 very fine crops. 



In the vicinity of large towns, where night-soil can be 

 readily obtained, no more efficient manure can be applied 

 than a compost of this and muck that has been exposed 

 to a winter's frost, or good loam, in the proportion of 

 three parts muck or loam to one part night-soil. If with 

 this compost barn manure and sea manure are mixed, so 

 much the better ; for it is a rule for this as for other crops 

 that a combination of manures in an arithmetical ratio will 

 produce results approaching a geometrical ratio. To make a 

 compost of loam or muck and night-soil, select a spot very 

 near the piece to be planted, and cover the ground with 

 either to the depth of a foot or eighteen inches ; then raise a 

 bank of the same material surrounding this floor to the height 

 of three or four feet, with a thickness of from four to six feet. 



