ONION. 121 



rows, leaving every seventh drill for a path, but some 

 prefer twelve and others fourteen and sixteen inches space 

 between the rows, sowing every drill. Use a seed-sower 

 for depositing the seed, as it can be done easier, quicker, 

 and more evenly than by hand, and cover with a common 

 wooden rake. From three to five pounds of seed will be 

 required for an acre, and until the ground has become 

 rich sow very thin. 



" The same land may be used for an indefinite time. Be 

 sure to use only new seed, as it is not sure to grow the 

 second year, and is entirely worthless thereafter. As 

 soon as the rows can be plainly seen, loosen the soil 

 with a push or scuffle hoe, running close to the rows, and 

 when necessary weed in the rows by hand, repeating as 

 often as requisite to keep clean, but avoid cutting the 

 onions as they begin to form. The common hoe may be 

 used to advantage the second cleaning, to loosen the soil. 

 Should there be places where they are in bunches, which 

 sometimes will happen, they may be thinned to one or 

 two inches apart. When the tops have become nearly 

 dry pull the onion, lay in rows, and when thoroughly dry 

 cut away the tops and store the onions in a cool, dry 

 place, if they are to be kept, choosing a dry time for this 

 business. Unless one has suitable storage room it is as 

 well to sell the crop from the field, and though the price 

 may not be so high as in winter or spring yet the risks of 

 spoiling are avoided. The main varieties of onions are 

 Large Red, Yellow Dutch, Yellow Danvers, and White 

 Portugal ; the first being considered the best for main 

 crop from seed, and is the favorite in market, the second 

 the most suitable for sets. 



" In conclusion I would say to those who contemplate 

 onion culture, try it on a small scale at first, and after 

 ascertaining by experience the amount of labor necessary 

 to be performed on a given quantity of land, cost of 

 manures, etc., as well as the amount of money to be 

 6 



