VARIETIES OF ONIONS. 347 



grow on the first opening of spring, so that the crop is usually 

 marketed in May. 



VARIETIES OF THE ONIONS. 



We here give a short description and illustration of the leading 

 varieties of onions. The seeds of onions have heretofore been raised 

 mainly in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Michigan, 

 but of late years, large quantities have been raised in California. A 

 prejudice against that raised in California originated in consequence 

 of the first lots raised there being from inferior stocks, but latter ex- 

 perience has shown us beyond question, that, when the quality of the 

 stock from which the seed was raised has been the same as used in 

 the Eastern States, the crop has been in all respects equal. In 

 our "trial grounds," where upwards of fifty stocks of onions are 

 tested annually, we find that the California raised seed is in no way 

 inferior to that raised in Connecticut or Massachusetts. Onion seed 

 loses its germinating power sooner than almost any other seed, and, 

 unless the sample is very fine indeed, it is of little use the second 

 year. This is the reason for the great disparity in the price of seeds, 

 for as the onion seed crop is a very uncertain one, and from its 

 germinating qualities being limited so that no stock can be held over, 

 the price in different seasons fluctuates from $1 to $5 per pound. 

 FIRST EARLY. EXTRA EARLY FLAT KED, a thin, and a good keeper, 



rather light colored onion, but earliest of all. 

 LARGE BED WETHERSFIELD. One of the favorite sorts for general crop, 



and a good keeper and yielder. 

 YELLOW GLOBE DANVERS. A half globe shaped stock, one of the best 



yielders and a splendid keeper. 

 EARLY RED GLOBE. One of the earliest of Globe varieties, smaller 



than the large Red Globe. 

 LARGE RED GLOBE. Later and larger than above, but a favorite 



market sort, and a perfect globe shape. 

 SOUTHPORT LARGE WHITE GLOBE. One of the best, and a favorite sort 



in New York markets, always bringing the highest price. 

 SOUTHPORT LARGE YELLOW GLOBE. Similar to the white globe, except 



in color, and a good keeper. 

 WHITE PORTUGAL, or SILVER SKIN. One of the leading sorts of white flat 



onion, a most excellent keeper and good yielder. 

 YELLOW DUTCH. A flat yellow onion, good yielder, but not so desir- 

 able as the other yellow sorts on account of its color and shape. 



This and the Flat Yellow Danvers are very similar. One of the 



heaviest croppers. 



