THE ONION TRIBE 89 



AUTUMN SOWING. Many advantages are to be derived from 

 the sowing of Onion seeds in the autumn instead of waiting 

 until spring. In the latter period of the year weather and soil 

 conditions are not always of the best calibre, sometimes delaying 

 the committal of seeds to the ground to an extent that preju- 

 dices the reasonable development of the crop. Greater size, 

 better flavour, a more abundant and heavier crop, and the 

 welcome provision of a large supply of "Spring" Onions all 

 through the winter months are the chief advantages of this 

 process ; while it is a well-attested fact that the maggot a 

 dangerous pest indeed never attacks autumn-sown produce. 

 The principles governing the autumn work are chiefly found 

 in proper and careful sowing, at the right time, so that the 

 plants may be of sufficiently adult stature to be able to with- 

 stand the devastating effects of frost ; therefore, the plants 

 of this section require a site thoroughly prepared to this end. 

 The seeds, if sown at the right time and under good conditions, 

 will produce sturdy subjects for negotiating all contingencies. 

 Sow any time from the middle of July to the second week 

 in September in moderately rich and well-pulverized soil, 

 in an open situation ; two or three sowings at intervals of 

 ten or fourteen days is the safest way to combat any vagaries 

 in the weather and other causes of failure. Consolidate and 

 level the ground, keeping the bed free from weeds and of uniform 

 moisture, and use the hoe whenever the surface of the soil 

 appears to need cultivation, or if the young plants do not 

 progress. There are two methods of culture, either of which 

 may be adopted as circumstances permit. The first is to sow 

 fairly thickly, and as soon as the plants are of useful size, thin 

 out to six inches apart in the rows ; these, under the process 

 of good cultivation especially as the spring approaches will 

 provide excellent bulbs of great size and good quality. But 

 by far the best procedure is that of transplanting. For this 

 purpose, seeds should be sown very thinly, so as to allow perfect 

 freedom of growing space for each individual plant all those 

 that would hinder in this direction being removed early. The 

 remaining plants will stay where they are, with due and proper 

 attention as to weeding, etc., all the winter through. In spring, 

 when outdoor conditions are favourable, the plants may be 

 carefully lifted without breaking roots and with soil attached, 

 if possible and transplanted at least six inches apart in rows 

 in a bed of soil prepared as advised hitherto for Onions. Trans- 

 plantation will give the best of results, and is especially to be 



