26 The Canadian Horticulturisi. 



-?^ Tl?t Kitcl^eij (g-apdei). 



ONION RAlSINCi AND HOW TO OBTAIN THE BEST RESULTS, 



AND HOW IT) CATCH THE HIGHEST MARKETS 



WITH THE CROP. 



XI'lvRI.\n^\ TS conducted at the station in 1889 and i8yo, 

 fully demonstrated that much is to be gained by sowing 

 onion seed in the green-house or hot-bed in February or 

 March and transplanting the young plants into the open 

 ground in April or May. As compared with onions grown 

 by the ordinary method, the transplanted ones were from 

 Tifi) lu one hundred per cent, ahead in size and total marketable product. A 

 marked difference has been observed in varieties, however, as to their adaptability 

 to this method of treatment. An extended and careful study of varieties has 

 been made the past season, with reference to their adaptability to transplanting. 

 The following are some of the most important results of the investigation : 



EARl.V VARIETIES. 



These require separate mention for the reason that as a class thev are 

 peculiarly adapted to transplanting. Nearly all are white and very much 

 flattened. Some attain five inches in diameter and less than two inches in 

 thickness. If sown in Feburary and transplanted into the open ground as early 

 as it can be worked in the spring, the young onions may be pulled for bunching 

 in May and June, or nearly as early as those grown from sets. By the first of 

 July they are ripe enough to be pulled and sold in the dry state. Both in the 

 green and dry state they are much superior to onions grown from sets and sell 

 for a higher price? 



In these early onions the greatest profit is found, as they not only bring fancy 

 prices, but the crop can be cleared from the ground in time for celery, or other 

 fall crops. The varieties best adapted to the purpose are Barletta, Marzajola, 

 Pearl and Bermuda. The first named is sold under various names, such as 

 Extra Early Barletta, Adriatic Barletta, New Early Adriatic, Bloomsdale Pearl. 

 New Queen, Early Radish, etc. Barletta is the earliest of those named, but 

 Miir/.ajola is only two weeks later and nuuh larger. These two are the best of 

 the early sorts. 



SICOND EARIA AMi I. ATE \ ARIETIES. 



These classes are not easily separated although there is considerable 

 difference between the extreme in time of ripening. Some of the second early 

 sorts, such as Danvers, VVethersfield, Michigan and \\'hite Clobe do not respond 

 so readily to this method of treatment as the extreme early anil late sorts, 

 ihey have, in every instance, given increased yields by transplanting, but the 

 gain is less than with some of the early and late sorts. 



