SECRETARY'S REPORT. 193 



The varieties most cultivated for winter use are the red and 

 yellow. Of these, the red is considered by some as more hardy 

 and prolific. It is undoubtedly the coarser and more pungent 

 of the two. The yellow stands first in point of quality, and 

 according to Burr, on account of its keeping qualities, is better 

 adapted to shipping purposes than some other kinds. The 

 Danvers, which is but a sub-variety of the yellow, and equals that 

 in point of quality, possesses, from its peculiar shape, an advan- 

 tage over it in cultivation. Owing to this shape, which is 

 globular, or approaching to that, a greater number of bushels 

 will stand on an acre than of the flat kind, a point of some 

 importance in the cultivation of so expensive a crop as this. 



While on the subject of varieties, it may be as well to say, 

 that the top and potato onions being raised chiefly for summer 

 use, we pass by, confining ourselves to what is of more general 

 interest. We come then to the matter of cultivation, and here 

 three things are of great importance, viz. : careful preparation 

 of the ground, early sowing, and thorough cultivation through 

 the season. 



If the land is naturally inclined to be cold and wet, its pre- 

 paration may be much facilitated by being thrown up into 

 ridges, in the autumn, subjecting it to the action of frost through 

 the winter. By this means it is not only the sooner made dry 

 in the spring, but the mechanical envision of the soil is much 

 assisted. The most smiple way of doing this, is merely to make 

 the furrows of double width, in reality turning over but about 

 half the ground, and throwing the ploughed portion upon the 

 top of the baulk or unploughed part. It is a good practice when 

 this operation is performing, to apply the manure at this time, 

 covering it in the way mentioned above. 



As soon as the ground is ready to work in the spring, the 

 furrows may be harrowed down and the land cross-ploughed, 

 which brings it into fine tilth. When the fall ploughing is not 

 done, the cultivator can pursue any course which he deems 

 best, provided he secures the end to be sought, which is a firm, 

 light, smooth bed for the seed. Great pains should be taken in 

 this matter, as not only the thrift of the plants but their eco- 

 nomical cultivation depends very much upon it. As the finish- 

 ing stroke to this process nothing is better than the hand-rake, 



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