BULB CROP PROJECTS 231 



in its culture may be obtained in almost any properly treated soil 

 and it offers rather unusual possibilities for profit in the best 

 garden loams. The crop appeals especially to the grower who 

 is greatly limited in the area available for gardening, because of 

 its adaptability to the most intensive systems of cultivation. 

 When good markets are near at hand, handsome profits may be 

 made on very small plots. 



1. Will it pay you to grow onions? If so, what reasons can you 



give for selecting this crop ? C : 308. 



2. Of what im.'portancp in fhr onion as a food crop in the United 



States f In other counfrirs f W-VG : 380. L : 162. 



3. To what extent are onions imported to the United States f 



W-VG : 380. 



2. Selecting location. — W : 228. As previously stated, onions 

 may be grown successfully in any good, well-drained soil. How- 

 ever, this crop should be planted, if possible, in soils abounding 

 in vegetable matter and in available plant food. If the largest 

 bulbs are to be grown, soil conditions must be as perfect as possible. 

 The largest areas of onions are on muck soils, which indicates at 

 once the importance of humus for this crop. Sandy loams are 

 also largely employed for the growing of onions. Good results 

 are obtained in all types of loose, friable soils, and if their structure 

 is not naturally favorable for this plant, especially liberal addi- 

 tions of rotten manure will be necessary. 



The onion is a " cool " crop and it thrives in all northern climates, 

 as well as in the South when advantage is taken of the cooler 

 months. 



It is an advantage in drilling seed and in all tillage operations 

 to use soil that is at least fairly level. 



