158 Teuok Geo wing in the South. 



is a mistake, especially so with flat varieties like the Ber- 

 muda. If the bulbs remain covered there is just enough 

 pressure from a rightly irrigated soil to thicken them up 

 in more marketable shape than if allowed to spread out 

 on the surface. We have seen them as large as saucers 

 and very thin. This is not desirable, the most saleable 

 size being three to four inches in diameter. 



The maturity of the crop is indicated by the dying of 

 the top beginning at the tip. When dead about half to 

 two-thirds of the way down the crop may be plowed up. 

 After plowing up, the onions should be allowed to stay in 

 the field from one to two days to cure before trimming, 

 but in hot sections like South Texas the bulbs should be 

 protected from sim scalding. If placed right, the dying 

 tops will usually be sufficient protection. As soon as the 

 tops have dried they are clipped off and the onions placed 

 in field crates, these in turn being taken to the packing 

 houses where they are graded and packed in the crates 

 for shipment to market. 



Bermuda onions are rather tender and the more care- 

 fully handled the better condition they will reach market 

 in. Many a crop in Texas has been turned ftom profit 

 to loss by careless and rough handling in field or packing 

 house. 



Bermuda onions should not be shipped in bags. The 

 most satisfactory packages are the Owosso and Cummer 

 crates which hold a little over fifty pounds, are strong and 

 at the same time give perfect ventilation. 



There are three varieties of the Bermuda onion, the 

 Crystal Wax, which is a pure slivery white color; the 

 White Bermuda, which is really a light yellow or straw 



