128 MARKET GARDENING. 



sown by a garden seed drill. Such can be purchased 

 according to design at from five to seven dollars cash. 

 There is no perfect seed-drill ; all have faults. Possibly 

 the Keeler is now the best form. It is light and easy to 

 run, and distributes the seed evenly. The seed is best 

 drilled in straight rows, one foot apart, six pounds of 

 seed being sown to the acre. One acre can be sown in 

 four hours with the Keeler drill, machine, weather, land 

 and man in perfect working order. The seed should 

 not be buried over one-third of an inch deep, and tightly 

 rolled in by the roller attached to the drill. After sow- 

 ing, a wooden garden roller should be used to level and 

 solidify the land. 



The best time to drill onion seed is as soon as the 

 frost is out of the ground, and the soil dry enough for 

 preparation ; then set all hands to work and rush it 

 through. No matter if light spring frosts are not all 

 passed, don't be afraid of after-freezing, it won't hurt 

 the crops. The reason for early planting is* obvious, 

 when it is known tluit onion seed will germinate at a 

 lower temperature than most other seeds, while weed 

 seeds require a much higher temperature ; consequently, 

 the onions will make their appearance ten days before 

 the weeds, enabling the gardener to commence early cul- 

 tivation, and thus keep weeds in check. Fall plowing 

 facilitates early spring preparation, making early drill- 

 ing practicable. 



Salt is sometimes broadcasted upon an onion field to 

 destroy the onion maggot, and its application is believed 

 to hasten the maturity of the crop. It seems to keep 

 the soil from drying out. Near the sea coast seaweed 

 or sea grass is used as a fertilizer for onions, maggots 

 or weeds seldom injuring a salted crop. Two bushels 

 of salt to the acre is sufficient, more is dangerous. 



In the cultivation four hoeings and three weedings 

 are usually necessary ; the last weeding must be done 



