CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 393 



for the family table. This method has several advan- 

 tages, (i) It is very convenient to all classes. There is 

 no outlay for glass and no trouble in caring for plants 

 previous to field planting, as is the case when the trans- 

 planting method is employed. (2) Fairly satisfactory 

 results may be secured under conditions which would 

 be unsuitable for the direct seeding or transplanting 

 methods. (3) The bulbs mature considerably earlier 

 than from seed sown in the field, and this may be the 

 means of obtaining better prices than from seed-sown 



FIG. 91. ONIONS PACKED IN BERMUDA CRATE 



onions. On the other hand, yields are generally smaller 

 than from seed sown under favorable conditions. The 

 expense for sets and planting are important items when 

 large areas are planted. 



Mature bulbs are grown from three classes of sets; 

 namely, top or tree onions, which produce sets instead 

 of seed ; potato or multiplier onions ; and the small bulbs 

 grown from very thick sowings. 



Potato onions are used extensively in the South and 

 are generally planted in the fall. Onion sets should be 



