172 THE MANSE GARDEN. 



ing. After thinning, the ground should be hoed 

 and watered; and it is easy to conduct the hoe in 

 such a way as to leave no footmarks. The matu- 

 rity of the crop is known by the withering of the 

 leaves; but as some individuals will prove refractory 

 in not decaying along with the rest, it is convenient 

 to have their necks broken or twisted a week before 

 reaping, that the ground may be all cleared at once. 

 Much wet after ripeness is injurious : should a few 

 dry days occur, the whole crop may be spread along 

 the side of the gravel walk and exposed to the sun ; 

 but if there be a threatening of much rain, the onions 

 had better be spread in a single layer on the garret 

 floor. A selection should be made of such bulbs as 

 have small necks for keeping longest. Tight tying 

 in strings, to be hung up in the kitchen, is some 

 trouble, but effectually prevents growing. 



One or two ounces of seed may be sown in 

 August, for a spring and early summer crop. At a 

 medium elevation, the middle of August is the pro- 

 per season ; and sooner or later, from the beginning 

 to the end of the month, according as your situation 

 is near the mountains or on the level of the sea. 

 The exactness of season is in this case important, 

 iind is best learned by trial: if too late, the seedlings 

 are thrown out by the frosts in winter ; if too early, 

 the plants all shoot in summer. Some in any case 

 will shoot ; but by pinching off the pruriant bud, 

 0od keeping bulbs may be secured. 



There is a tree sort, which bears its bulbs at the 

 top of a long stalk ; and another, called the potato 

 onion, which bears below ground, according to its 

 name. This last is capable of producing well, but is 



