THE ONION TRIBE 91 



more healthy the top-growth and the more vigorous the root- 

 action, the greater certainty is there of a large collection of 

 nutriment, with the consequent enlargement of the bulb. 



But there comes a point in this procedure in which the Onion 

 will seriously turn its attention to the great object of its existence 

 the production of seed for perpetuation ; and unless this be 

 stopped, the bulb will be spoilt, for all the store of richness 

 therein is commandeered for reproduction purposes. This 

 sudden perversion of food elements must be checked from 

 abovenot below. This is usually accomplished by bending 

 over (not breaking!) the Onion stem about two inches from the 

 bulb towards the ground. But let there be no indiscriminate 

 action ; this drastic procedure should never be carried out where 

 signs of running to seed are not apparent. Retain all foliage 

 as long as possible that applies always and everywhere in 

 plant -life. Premature destruction of the growth of foliage 

 invariably induces the bulb to stop growing, and to consolidate 

 and ripen instead. 



Root-action, however, should never be checked or neglected 

 at any time, and certainly not during that period when the 

 bulb is drastically deprived of the support afforded by its 

 foliage. 



When the necks pf the Onions begin to shrink and the root- 

 hold upon the ground is loosened, the bulbs have reached 

 maturity, and all showing these signs may be removed from the 

 bed, leaving the others to complete their growth ; for if the ripe 

 ones are allowed to remain in the ground, they may commence 

 fresh growth, certainly if rain intervenes, and be irremediably 

 spoilt. They are, after removal, spread out in the sun to dry, 

 turned frequently, and taken under shelter at nights. When 

 both foliage and roots have completely withered, the bulbs are 

 ready for storage in a dry place. Care must be taken not to 

 bruise the bulbs in any way, removing all soil, and any part 

 that would tend to decay. They should be disposed thinly 

 in the store, or hung in ropes or bunches, and carefully looked 

 over occasionally to remove any affected ones. To preserve a 

 number for very late use, a hot iron may be used to cauterize 

 the roots and necks, care being taken not to burn the bulb. 



The maggot is the Onion's chief enemy, so far as insects are 

 concerned. This is very prevalent in light soils. The Onions, 

 when young, begin to turn yellow, as the first sign of the presence 

 of the maggots, the foliage droops, and the plant soon dies, 

 or becomes worthless, Trenching, autumn sowing, and the 



