Onion 



( 133) 



Onion 



valuable vegetables. By successional sowings of 

 suitable varieties, Onions may be had in use tlio 

 whole year round. 



Raising in Boxes. The system of raising Onions 

 for the summer crop in shallow boxes, though by 

 no muans modern, has not, until recent years, 

 obtained a particular vogue. Its advantages are 

 that it gives the plants a longer season in which to 

 build up their bulbs, thus ensuring a heavier crop, 

 and the comparative immunity that such stock 

 will enjoy from attack by the Onion maggot or 

 grub. January and February are the best periods 

 for sowing, and a greenhouse temperature is suit- 

 able. The seeds should be sown on the surface 

 of light soil in shallow boxes, and be only just 

 covered with fine soil and then brown paper. 

 Subsequently the seedlings must be thinned, if 

 necessarv, and afterwards be transferred to other 



as for the main bed, but the seeds are sown in 

 July or August, according to the condition of the 

 soil and the climate. Thinning is visually deferred 

 till the spring, when the pullings are used as 

 " Spring Onions " ; plants may be moved to any 

 other prepared quarters if desired, and it is fre- 

 quently found that these thrive better than those 

 not transplanted. 



Harvesting Onions. It is important that the 

 bulbs be perfectly ripened before storage. To 

 ensure this let them remain thinly on the 

 ground, on the sides of paths, under an open shed, 

 or on the stages of a vinery. This allows sun and 

 air to play their part in perfecting development, 

 and has a marked effect on the keeping properties 

 of the crop. 



Storing Onions. Properly ripened Onions stored 

 in "ropes" in a dry place will keep for an un- 



Photo : CasseLt it: Company, Ltd. 



ONION LORD KEEPER; BEDFORDSHIRE CHAMPION ON THE RIGHT (see j>. ISO- 



boxes or a frame. The chief danger lies in the 

 soil becoming dry, which will be inimical to good 

 results. The plants are placed in their permanent 

 quarters when soil and weather are favourable, 

 from the middle to the end of April. 



The Summer Crop. The main crop is sown in 

 March and April, in drills 10" asunder, the plants 

 being eventually thinned so that they stand clear 

 of each other. In some cases the bulbs will be in 

 a piled-up cluster, in which condition they may be 

 left, as they develop into small but excellent 

 keeping stock. The ground should have been 

 thoroughly prepared in autumn by deep digging and 

 the incorporation of the best natural manure that 

 is available. Prior to sowing it must be made 

 firm. The summer work will consist mainly in 

 keeping the ground free from weeds by light 

 surface hoeings and top-dressings, witli short 

 manure to prevent loss of moisture by evaporation. 

 When the bulbs have attained full size the tops 

 should be carefully broken over to assist and hasten 

 maturation. 



The "Autumn Sown" Crop. This is commonly 

 called the winter crop. The treatment is the same 



limited period; they are not affected by frost 

 provided this be not accompanied by damp- 

 ness. Any bulb showing traces of decay should 

 be removed. 



Onions for Exhibition. The production o 

 immense bulbs for exhibition necessitates a some- 

 what elaborate system of culture. The soil is 

 prepared by taking out a trench to a depth of 2', 

 in the bottom of which is placed a layer of good 

 manure. As the soil is worked on to this, heavy 

 dressings of short manure are added. The whole 

 is firmed, and plants from seeds sown in boxes 

 in January are planted in drills 15" apart, and 

 not less than 12" asunder in the rows. Mulch- 

 ings of short manure are necessary, with heavy 

 watering in dry weather. Light dressings of 

 superphosphate of lime, soot, and nitrate of soda, 

 given alternately, add considerably to the size of 

 the bulbs. 



Onions for Pickling. Silver Skinned and The 

 Queen are useful varieties for this purpose. The 

 seeds should be sown broadcast or thickly in rows 

 on firm, poor ground early in April, and small, very 

 hard bulbs will be produced in abundance. 



