204 KITCHEN GARDEN. 



was found useful in guarding the transplanted onions 

 from the attack of the wire-worm. He found that 

 onions thus treated attained a large size. 



The Potato- Onion is propagated by the lateral 

 bulbs, which it throws out, under ground, in considej.\a- 

 ble numbers. It may be planted about midwinter, and 

 will ripen early in the summer. Its flavor is not un- 

 pleasant ; but the plant, being rather troublesome in 

 cultivation, is not likely to supersede the common onion. 



The Tree-Onion, introduced from Canada, is a vi- 

 viparous variety, producing small bulbs in place of 

 flowers ; but the bulbs are strong-scented. 



The Pearl-Onion, of recent introduction into Eng- 

 land, and hitherto little known {Allium Hallerii, G. 

 Don?), produces clusters or small bulbs at the root. 

 These little bulbs are of a fine white color, like the sil- 

 ver-skinned, and very fit for pickling. 



The onion requires a very' rich soil, and forms an ex- 

 ception to most plants in regard to the necessity of 

 changing the ground. Where the same patch has been 

 kept well manured, heavy annual crops have been taken 

 off for thirty or forty years successively. 



In the Middle States, where a field crop is the object, 

 the ground, after being heavily manured, is d\ig or 

 ploughed early in spring, well raked or harrowed, and 

 divided into very shallow drills about nine inches apart, 

 with alleys between every three rows about fifteen inches 

 in width. Young onions about the size of beans are to 

 be planted in these rows or drills, but not- covered with 

 earth. These are to be thinned so as to stand about 

 three inches apart, and kept clean and hoed every few 

 days. In June, the vacant alleys may be dug and plant- 

 ed in cabbage, as this will not interfere with the onion 



