TILLAGE 



165 



The disk should be followed by a spike-tooth harrow. Many 

 successful onion growers complete the preparation of the seed- 

 bed by the use of a Meeker harrow (Fig. 101), while others use a 

 planker. These various tools should be used repeatedly, if neces- 

 sary, so that an exceedingly fine seed-bed may be prepared. Land 

 for only one day's planting should be prepared at a time, and the 

 seed drill should follow immediately after the last preparation 

 tool. This prevents the top soil from drying out before the seed 

 is planted, and insures the presence of moist soil in direct contact 

 with the seeds. 



Fn 



-T..ol^ 



culture': Sc<m1 drill at riirht; double and sinjzlo \vh 

 with variou.s attachnient.s. 



Seed is usually sown by means of a garden seed drill (Fig. 102) 

 in rows twelve inches apart, and this is the standard distance 

 whether a few rows or several acres are grown. If the plants are 

 to be thinned, from four to five pounds of seed are sown to the 

 acre. If thinning is not to be practiced, a smaller quantity of 

 carefully tested seed is preferable. Some of the most successful 

 growers sow from three and one-eighth to three and one-fourth 

 pounds per acre, and do not thin. This method results in smaller 

 and less uniform bulbs, but is a great saving in labor. 



Tillage. — As soon as the plants are up, tillage with wheel hoes 

 (Fig. 102) should begin, and should be repeated at frequent inter- 

 vals until the plants are so large that it can no longer be done. 

 Care should be taken to cultivate the onions as soon as the ground 



