CULTIVATION OF ONIONS. 343 



The ground being thus prepared, the next thing is the sowing of 

 the seed (about six pounds being used per acre). This, of course, 

 nowadays, is done always by the seed drilling machine, of which 

 there are a dozen or more in the market, nearly all of which do the 

 work well. In our business at the present date, we sell the Planet, Jr., 

 and Mathew's, giving the preference in the order in which they 

 are named. In sowing the first row, a line must be stretched so as to 

 have that line straight, after which the sower can readily regulate 

 the other lines. The favorite distance for onion rows to be placed 

 apart is fifteen inches, though they are sometimes sown as close as 

 twelve inches, leaving out every ninth row for an alley, thus forming 

 them into beds of eight rows each. Where there is reason to believe 

 weeds may be troublesome, this plan of forming in beds has the ad- 

 vantage of the alley (twenty-four inches wide) to throw the weeds. 

 We so firmly believe in the value of firming in the seeds after sowing, 

 that we advise, in addition to the closing and firming of the seeds by 

 the drill, to use a roller besides, particularly if the land is light, or 

 where the soil has not been sufficiently firmed down. There is no 

 crop where the adage of " a stitch in time " is so applicable as in the 

 onion crop; so that just as soon as the lines can be seen, which will 

 be in ten or twelve days after sowing, apply the scuffle hoe between 

 the rows. There are a great many styles of hand cultivators, many 

 of which are exceedingly useful, after the onions get strong enough 

 after weeding, but for the first hoeing, after the seed shows the lines, 

 use the scuffle hoe or some onion wheel hoe. The distance at which 

 onions should stand in the rows is from one to two inches, and if the 

 crop is sown evenly and thinly few require to be taken out. In hoe- 

 ing, whether it is weeds or onions that are to be removed, one thing 

 should never be lost sight of that when this operation is done, every 

 inch of the surface should be broken; this is best done after the 

 machine, by using a wooden lawn rake, all over the land, lightly 

 raking across the rows. It is one of the most common mistakes, 

 when weeding or hoeing, if the laborer sees no weeds, to pass over 

 such portions without breaking the crust. By this neglect, not only 

 is it likely that he passes another crop of weeds in embryo under 

 the unbroken crust, but the portion unbroken loses the stirring so 

 necessary for the well-being of the crop. In our long experience in 

 garden operations, we have had more trouble to keep our workmen 

 up to the mark in this matter than in any other; and I never fail 

 when I discover a man in such negligence to set him back over his 

 work until he does it properly, and if he again fails to do so, promptly 

 dismiss him. 



