Onions 1393 
The Danver and the Ohio are slightly flattened at the top. The 
Southport is almost a perfect sphere, with an extremely small neck, 
and is a good keeper. 
SEED 
Where to obtain the best seed is a question which puzzles every 
grower. Every catalog will claim that the seed it advertises is 
the best, or at least as good as any, but every year some one is 
taken in by a house selling onion seed of poor quality. Sometimes 
a firm will sell seed which will grow onions of as many different 
colors as Joseph’s coat, and if one looks at the package in which 
the seed came he will find this legend, “ This company gives no 
warranty, expressed or implied, in regard to its seeds.” 
The best way is to grow one’s own seed. When securing onions, 
carefully select the best bulbs, choosing for color, shape and size. 
From a bushel of bulbs will often be gathered three or more 
pounds of seed. 
By putting the seed in a tub of water and throwing away all that 
does not quickly sink to the bottom, only the good is saved. 
The seed grown by a South Lima man, tested at New York 
State College of Agriculture a year ago with seed from several of 
the largest seed houses, was found to be the best. 
Five pounds of seed that will test 80 per cent. or better should 
be enough for an acre. It used to be said that one ought to sow 
at least six pounds in order to have some for maggots and other 
troubles that are sure to beset the crop, but the smaller amount is 
more in favor now. 
FERTILIZERS 
After the seed question comes that of fertilizer — certainly an 
important one. 
The onion is a gross feeder and plant food must be supplied in 
liberal quantities. It should be a kind that is quickly available. A 
high-grade fertilizer with 4-8-10 analysis is a popular brand, 
though some prefer to use 2-8-10. In either case about a ton to 
the acre should be sown broadcast before the seed is sown. Some 
prefer to sow but part of the fertilizer then and the balance later 
in the season when the onions are one-half or two-thirds grown. If 
the season is a dry one it is doubtful if the crop derives mucn 
benefit from the late sowing. 
