104 VEGETABLE GARDENING. 



7 to 9 inches only need be excavated in the first 

 instance. After planting, give a dusting of soot to 

 the soil around the plants. Water the plants before 

 removing them from the boxes, and they should 

 never afterwards be allowed to become dry at the 

 roots. When watering is needed, give a thorough 

 soaking, and avoid frequent waterings. Feed with 

 weak liquid manure when the plants are growing 

 freely, and apply periodically a light dusting of sul- 

 phate of ammonia. When about 16 inches high tie 

 the plants up loosely, remove suckers, and earth up. 

 Earth up again when a few inches of further growth 

 is made, and again in autumn before severe frost. 

 Prevent soil getting into the centres of the plants. 

 Good varieties are : Red- Grove Red, and Standard 

 Bearer; White -White Gem, and Sandringham 

 White. 



PESTS AND DISEASES. 



Onion Fly (PhorUa cepetorum). This fly lays its 

 eggs at the base of the onion leaves, and the maggots 

 which hatch out tunnel into and destroy the bulb, 

 the foliage turning yellow. 



Treatment. (1) A steady, vigorous growth is im- 

 portant ; water copiously in dry weather, and feed as 

 advised in onion culture. (2) Dust freely with soot 

 over the bed, but particularly round the base of the 

 plants. (3) The soil may be drawn away from the 

 bulbs and a liberal dusting of hellebore powder 

 given. (4) If preferred, spray the bed once or twice 

 a week with a paraffin emulsion. (5) Promptly dig 

 up and burn infested plants. 



Onion Mildew (Peronospora Schkideni). This dis- 



