122 FARM-GARDENING AND SEED-GROWING. 



realized from a crop, it can be determined whether it 

 will pay." 



The foregoing article explains the general method of 

 growing the crop, but as I propose to make every subject 

 complete, I will also give directions for marketing, grow- 

 ing the seed, etc. 



Preparing for Market. The ripe onions may be 

 shipped in bags or barrels, and should only be packed 

 when thoroughly dry. 



Green onions from sets are marketed in bunches when 

 scarcely half-grown, and from thence until the tops are 

 dry, using twelve to a bunch at first, and reducing the 

 number to six or seven as they increase in size. 



It is well to use such as show signs of running to seed, 

 first, as they do not form large bulbs, but arc quite as 

 good as any when young. 



The onions must be pulled, removed to the market- 

 house, divested of decaying outer leaves, nicely washed, 

 and tied in round bunches. 



When the tops have become partially dry and the bulb 

 nearly ripe, they may be bunched without washing. 



Growing Sets, Onion sets now form an important 

 article in the seedsman's stock, and may be grown with 

 profit by the seed-grower who has land suited to their 

 production. 



The ground should be of a light character, free from 

 stones or gravel, in good condition, though not rich, and 

 be prepared the same as directed for growing the onions, ex- 

 cepting of course the manure. Sow very early in the spring. 

 Mark out rows ten inches apart, sowing six rows to abed, 

 and leaving every seventh for a path, using thirty pounds 

 of seed to the acre, that they may be very thick, to pre- 

 vent them growing large, the object of which has been 

 already explained, and I may here add that the smaller 

 the sets the better, and the higher price they will com- 



