EOOTS AND VEGETABLES. 103 



fore, the great secret of growing onions is found in preparing 

 the soil at the ontset and by having a clean culture afterwards ; 

 one hour's work just at the time the weeds are ready to start, 

 is of more vaUie than a day's labor after they have gained a 

 strong foothold. 



The onion, unlike most other root-crops, may be grown on 

 the same soil for a series of j^ears, without any diminution of 

 quantity or quality, provided the tield be kept under a clean 

 cultivation and fine tilth. The writer has known an onion- 

 bed to grow this crop for twenty years, the last crop equal to 

 the first. 



Although six hundred bushels is considered only a medium 

 crop, while eight or ten hundred is considered a large one, we 

 would say to the young man, be not deluded in becoming rich 

 at once by growing onions. Yet we believe, with having a 

 suitable soil, patient and honest industry and near a good 

 market, probably no crop for a series of years will pay better ; 

 but the application of manure, keeping the ground in good 

 tilth and the non-cultivation of weeds, must not be lost sight 

 of. 



CABBAGES. 



Fifty years ago, and even since that time, it was supposed 

 that the only place for cabbages to make anything like a re- 

 spectable growth was in very low, deep soils ; consequently 

 the lowest part of the farm was selected for the cabbage-yard. 

 This was all very well, as this crop generally does well on 

 such soils ; such localities receiving the wash from the neigh- 

 boring lands, the soil would be richer than elsewhere, and as 

 the cabbage delights to work in a rich, friable soil, this was 

 a wise selection. 



It is now generally conceded that any good corn-land is also 

 good soil for the cabbage, provided it be ivell manured; 

 reclaimed meadow and swamp lands are also excellent soil for 

 this crop when the water-level is kept at a projier distance 

 from the surftice ; say from twenty to twenty-five inches. 

 Within a few years we have witnessed as good fields with as 

 solid and compact heads, as on any soil mentioned. 



The cabbage, unlike the onion, generally requires a strong, 

 heavy soil, and good animal manure, — any animal except the 

 hog ; if this be used, especially on wet soil, stump-foot gen- 



