113 BULB 



CROPS 



the fall, after having been in use with good 

 tillage all the previous season, and the surface 

 soil must be in super-excellent condition. The 

 onion is practically a surface feeder, and as the 

 seed sprouts slowly, and the baby plants are 

 delicate and slender-rooted, conditions must be 

 absolutely right for a good growth. In fact, 

 no other vegetable crop, grown on a large scale, 

 requires such fine surface soil. Hard or baked 

 soil is sure to give a poor crop. The surface 

 must be kept loose and in good tilth, and low, 

 level land is the best place for your onion 

 patch. 



When the ground has been plowed, go over 

 it carefully and break up all the clods or lumps, 

 and remove all stones and weeds. Do not use 

 coarse, fresh stable manures, as that leaves the 

 ground too coarse in texture, and moreover 

 increases the probability of weeds, and weeds 

 are death to onions. Only fine, old, well- 

 rotted stable manure may be used, and this 

 must not be plowed under, as it is the surface 

 soil which must be rich. Commercial fertilizers, 

 especially the sorts rich in potash, are of great 

 value in growing onions, and, because of their 

 potash, wood ashes make an excellent top dress- 

 ing for the onion patch. Keep the soil finely 

 pulverized and you will then have ideal con- 



