Onions. 81 



ONIONS. 



This crop is an exception in that it does not require ro- 

 tation as most crops do. Onions may be successfully 

 grown on the same land for a number of years and the soil 

 never seems to become tired. It is a hardy vegetable and 

 will survive a temperature of 24 degrees, consequently 

 may be classed as a winter crop in the lower South. This 

 crop thrives the best on the damp sandy loam, rich in 

 humus, but with irrigation it may be grown successfully 

 on the highest land. This is a somewhat expensive crop 

 to grow, and it should be planted only on soil that is rich, 

 and the ground should be thoroughly prepared and all 

 trash gotten out before the seed are planted. It is a good 

 plan to prepare the ground several weeks ahead of plant- 

 ing or setting, in order to allow all seeds of grass or weeds 

 to come up. The ground should be gone over with a har- 

 row just in advance of planting, in order to destroy this 

 young crop of weeds or grass. 



Varieties. 



The Bermuda is the onion best adapted to the Gulf 

 States, and being of a mild flavor is preferred to other 

 varieties. Of this variety there are the white and bright 

 red, but the white is preferable. The Creole is another 

 variety which does well in the Gulf States, and is grown 

 to a considerable extent. Further north Ked Weather- 

 field and Yellow Danvers are recommended. Where 

 the thermometer dos not go below 24, the seed beds may 



