THE ONION 141 



live for more than two years. The reserve food material stored 

 during the first year in the scale-leaves is utilised in the second 

 year for the production of the inflorescence. The pungent smell 

 of the Onion is due to the presence of a volatile sulphur-containing 

 oil. 



The plant requires for its full development a rich, moist, 

 fine seed bed. The bed is preferably manured and ridged up in 

 the preceding autumn. The ridges are levelled down in March, 

 and the ground is then trodden firm. After the surface has been 

 raked fine the seed is sown thinly in drills, one foot apart and 

 one inch deep. Give a dusting of soot, if this can be readily 

 procured, and then rake over lightly. The rows must be thinned 

 until the young plants stand singly at a distance of six or eight 

 inches apart. The thinnings may be consumed as salad. If 

 the ground is very dry during the summer it should be watered. It 

 should also be kept as free from weeds as possible. Towards 

 the end of the summer the leaves begin to turn yellow, and they 

 should then be trodden over carefully, so that they lie horizontally. 

 This operation assists in the production of larger bulbs, and at 

 the same time gives full play to the ripening effect of the sun's 

 rays. In September the bulbs will be ready to be taken up. 

 They should be laid out to dry and harden in the sun, and when 

 this is accomplished they may be tied together in bunches and 

 hung up in a cool dry place and kept free from frost. Giant 

 Rocca, James' Long Keeping, and Bedfordshire Champion are 

 good varieties. Ailsa Craig produces exceptionally large bulbs, 

 and is therefore very common at horticultural shows. Its quality 

 is, however, not nearly so good as the varieties recommended. 



A rather different culture is required in the case of Tripoli 

 Onions. These are sown in drills in August, and are transplanted 

 in March for spring Onions. 



THE LEEK (Allium porrum) and THE SHALLOTT 

 (A Ilium ascalonicum) 



are closely allied to the Onion. Leek seed may be sown broad- 

 cast and very thinly on a nursery bed in March. When 

 the young plants are about four inches high they must be 



