384 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



thrive in the northern states, and with proper culture 

 generally do well in the South. The multipliers or 

 potato onions are thoroughly at home throughout the 

 South, and with some winter protection may be grown 

 for early bunching in the North. The Egyptian or 

 Perennial Tree onion is hardy in the North, even with- 

 out protection. 



While this vegetable may be grown successfully under 

 a wide range of climatic conditions, it succeeds best in 

 temperate regions without great extremes of heat and 

 cold. When grown in the far South, as in Texas, ad- 

 vantage is taken of fall and winter. The crop is planted 

 in September and harvested in March and April. From 

 130 to 150 days are required to mature bulbs of the 

 various varieties. A bountiful supply of soil moisture 

 is necessary early in the season, when the plants make 

 very rapid growth. A dry soil and low humidity are im- 

 portant for ripening, harvesting and curing the bulbs. 



531. Soil. — Land to be used in growing onions should 

 be practically level to prevent damage from washing. 

 The seeds, sets, or young, shallow-rooted plants are 

 easily washed out on sloping lands. The soil should be 

 retentive of moisture and yet well drained, friable, easily 

 worked, fertile and free from stones and rubbish which 

 would interfere with the proper use of drills, hand and 

 wheel hoes. 



Vast areas of muck and peat soils are devoted to the 

 culture of onions. The crop is doubtless grown at less 

 expense in these soils, which abound in vegetable mat- 

 ter, than in other types requiring more manure and fer- 

 tilizer and a greater expenditure of labor. Their dark 

 color causes them to warm up rapidly in the spring, and 

 thus they favor early planting, which is universally re- 

 garded as important. These soils, rich in organic re- 

 mains, retain moisture, so that drouth seldom curtails 

 the crop to any great extent. 



