ROOT, TUBER, AND BULB CROP X 101 



they are also propagated from sets, of which there are three 

 kinds. Some varieties produce small bulbs on the top of the 

 stalks (Fig. 68). In other varieties, small bulbs form from 

 the division of the onion in the ground. These small bulbs 

 may be planted the following season. This race is usually 

 spoken of as the potato-onion or multiplier. The third and 

 most common kind of "sets" used in propagating onions is 

 produced by sowing onion seed very thickly. The resulting 

 plants are so crowded that the bulbs remain very small. 

 After they ripen in the fall, they are taken up and stored in 

 the same way as bulbs of normal size. These small bulbs are 

 planted in the spring and produce a very early crop of green 

 onions. If left until fall, they are harvested as ripe onions. 

 Another method of producing early onions consists in sowing 

 seed under glass, and transplanting the young plants to the 

 field. 



The onion is not troubled with many pests. The onion- 

 maggot is its worst foe. Rotation of crops is the best means 

 of combating this enemy. The onion-thrips is troublesome 

 in some sections. Spraying with kerosene emulsion is usually 

 successful. The most troublesome disease is onion-smut. The 

 best remedy is rotation of crops, but it is difficult to get rid of 

 the disease. Soaking the seed for twenty minutes in a solu- 

 tion of one ounce of formalin to a gallon of water will prevent 

 smut from being introduced from the seed. The seed should 

 be dried before being planted. 



162. Chives are perennial, growing year after year when 

 once established. They are propagated in the spring by 

 division (Fig. 69). 



163. Garlic. The bulbs of this plant are made up of a 

 number of divisions known as cloves. Garlic is propagated 

 by planting these cloves in early springtime. Garlic has an 

 exceedingly strong flavor. It is not popular in this country 

 except among foreigners, and is used in small quantities for 

 flavoring. 



