ONIONS 



179 



few years than the Onion. It now forms one of the 

 most important and interesting subjects at all our 

 vegetable exhibitions, and no collection of vegetables 

 at any season of the year is complete unless a dish is 

 included. Consequently all interested in the pro- 

 duction of high-class vegetables must endeavour to 

 produce the finest specimens. Fortunately Onions are 

 not fastidious as to soil or position. Any one with a 

 garden and who is prepared to take the necessary 

 trouble can excel in their culture. 



Preparation of the land is unquestionably the first 

 and most important part of Onion culture, and with- 

 out it first-class specimens are impossible. Select an 

 open sunny position for the site, bearing in mind that, 

 unlike most other crops, it is not at all necessary to 

 change the ground, but on the contrary, as far as Mr. 

 Beckett's experience goes, better results will be got by 

 utilising the same ground annually. Mr. Beckett 

 writes : "The best bulbs I have yet produced were those 

 of 1901 on ground upon which our large Onions had 

 been grown for the last seventeen years. The ground 

 must be thoroughly trenched to the depth of at least 

 three feet, the subsoil well broken up, and the bottom 

 spit brought to the surface each year. I regard this 

 as of the utmost importance. The time at which the 

 trenching should take place depends on the soil one 

 has to deal with. A light soil should be so treated 

 as early in the autumn as circumstances will permit, 

 but that of a stiff retentive nature will be better left 

 alone until February." 



