ONIONS 25 



seedbeds, sometimes hotbeds or cold frames, 

 and transplanting the young plants to the field. 

 By far the greater portion of the onion crop 

 produced in the Ohio Valley, the Eastern 

 states, and California is grown from seed sown 

 in place. 



Many market gardeners, however, practice 

 the "New Onion Culture," i. e. transplanting 

 from the hotbed or seedbed. The extensive 

 use of this method is found, though, in con- 

 nection with the Texas Bermuda Onion industry. 

 This industry is carried on almost exclusively 

 by the transplanting method. 



In the North where the transplanting method 

 is employed the Prizetaker type of onion is al- 

 most universally grown. This is a soft, tender 

 long season type. By starting the seedlings in 

 hotbeds in February or March several weeks 

 are added to the growing season. The bulbs 

 grow larger, a perfect stand of plants is in- 

 sured and as a consequence a maximum yield 

 per acre is secured. 



Another interesting onion industry is that of 

 growing " sets," small bulbs which are grown 

 from seed scattered thickly so that the young 

 plants crowd one another severely, thus caus- 

 ing them to ripen prematurely after forming a 

 small yet very perfect bulb. While this industry 



