VEGETABLES AND THEIR CULTURE 



395 



with rotten manure. This vegetable will not thrive in any northern section 

 unless the soil is well filled with organic matter. The planting distances 

 for muskmelons should be more liberal than for cucumbers. Among the 

 varieties which are popular throughout the country may be mentioned 

 Rocky Ford, Paul Rose, Netted Gem, Hackensack, Osage, Emerald Gem, 

 Eden Gem and Burrell Gem. 



Onion. — No vegetable is found so universally in the farmer's garden 

 as the onion. Indeed, it is rare that the onion is omitted from the home 

 garden. A long list of varieties is available. Among the best yellow kinds 



Onions Under Skinner System of Irrigation. 1 



may be mentioned Danvers, Southport Yellow Globe and Strasburg. 

 Weatherfield is the best known red onion and Southport Red Globe is a 

 general favorite in many parts of the country. Silver Skin and Southport 

 White Globe are popular white onions. The Egyptian (Perennial Tree 

 Onion) is a valuable variety for fall planting in the North. Prizetaker is 

 exceedingly valuable for starting under glass and transplanting in the 

 open ground. 



The onion thrives best in a moist, sandy loam, but may be grown with 

 success in any rich soil. It is important to plant the seed in ground which 

 is practically free from weed seeds. An excellent plan is to precede this 

 vegetable with a crop like corn or cabbage which requires clean tillage. 



1 Courtesy of The Pennsylvania Farmer. 



