292 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



year or two before will do. They are propagated 

 by dividing the clustered roots into separate offsets, 

 and planting them in very shallow drills in February 

 or early in March, or, as is frequently done, in 

 October and November. When planted in autumn 

 in a dry light soil, they often grow larger, and 

 sooner attain full growth the following summer ; 

 but one thing must be guarded against, viz., too 

 much wet, which is likely to rot the roots before 

 they vegetate. 



The shallots should be planted in the shallow 

 drills about six inches apart, and slightly covered 

 over with earth. Soot, mixed with the surface soil, 

 has been found of much service in preventing the 

 maggot, which often commits extensive depreda- 

 tions upon this plant. The only culture which they 

 require is that of keeping them clear from weeds, 

 by occasional hand-weeding or hoeing. 



Towards the end of July, or beginning of 

 August, the bulbs will have attained their full 

 growth, as is seen by the decay of the leaves. They 

 should then be taken up and laid out in some dry 

 loft, when, after being thoroughly dried, picked, 

 &C, they are to be put up in bags, boxes, or tied in 

 bundles by the stalks, where they will remain for 

 some months fit for use. 



The author thinks the following method a safe 

 and great improvement in the culture of the shallot; 

 it was communicated a few years ago by A. Knight, 

 Esq., President of the Horticultural Society. 



To guard against the maggot in shallots, Mr. 

 Knight had them planted on the surface instead of 

 burying them two or three inches deep in the soil. 



