S24 Description of a Mode of cultivating Onions. 



used a quantity of coal-ashes and rotten dung ; and, all being 

 in readiness for the asparagus, 1 proceeded to plant it in rows 

 eighteen inches asunder, and the onions in drills between 

 these rows. I finished each row as I proceeded, which 

 caused a great deal of trampling, and the ground was re- 

 markably hard after the whole was completed. When the 

 crops began to grow, I thought of hoeing, thinning, &c. ; but, 

 being a native of Northampton, where some of the best 

 onions in the kingdom are grown, I recollected seeing, at 

 different times, onions growing in the hard walk, and these 

 the best sample of a whole acre. I accordingly resolved to 

 let my crop take its chance. Weeding and thinning were 

 performed by the hand, which greatly increased the solidity 

 of the soil. My crop was pulled up without attention being 

 paid to any particular time or form : the onions composing 

 it were sound and good, while the crops of my neighbours 

 were suffering from what are termed mouldy-nosed onions. I 

 had several bushels from a small piece of ground, and was 

 obliged to exchange with my neighbours for picklers. I 

 presented Mr. Atkins, nurseryman, of Northampton, with 

 twelve, which weighed eleven pounds. I planted twenty- 

 four of them the succeeding spring, for seed, which weighed 

 nearly twenty-two pounds, and were shown to several friends 

 before they w^ere planted, who can testify the fact. I cannot 

 say what quantity of seeds they produced, as I left my situ- 

 ation at that time. 



A great deal has been said about growing large onions; 

 but, according to my humble opinion, large onions are not 

 the most desirable. From my experience (which, I confess, 

 is not a lengthened one, as I am but a young gardener), an 

 onion from one to two inches' diameter is the most profitable, 

 of the readiest sale, and the best for gardeners and gentle- 

 men. When a large onion goes into a gentleman's kitchen, 

 it is cut, and a part only is used ; the remainder loses its 

 quality, and ultimately bears company with the peelings to 

 the dung heap. I advise John Mitchell, if he wishes for 

 large onions, to try as I have suggested above. His soil 

 will suit every purpose. He will find an advantage in time ; 

 run no risk in displacing the roots, which is apt to check 

 vegetation ; and he will not be so likel}'^ to get disease in the 

 crops, as the trampling forms gutters in which he can, if dry 

 weather occur, put water, and supply the roots more gra- 

 dually with moisture ; or, if a continuance of rain should 

 happen, these gutters will carry off the superfluous water. 



1 am. Sir, yours, &c. 



Wm. Whiddon, Gardener. 

 Chicheley Hall^ Buch, Feb. 28. 1833. 



