34 ONION-RAISING. 



distance between the rows ; while in Southern New England 

 and parts of the West, twelve inches is preferred. 



Before planting the seed, it should be carefully examined 

 to see that it is free from small stones, or any substance that 

 can possibly clog the hole of exit. Stones or fragments 

 of seed-heads, when so small as readily to pass through the 

 holes, will do no harm. Let it be remembered, when regu- 

 lating the machine, that the seed will not be likely to fall so 

 fast from a full hopper as they will when it is nearly empty. 

 The seed should be sown from half an inch to an inch under 

 the surface, from twelve to fifteen to the foot when four 

 pounds are planted to the acre. Deep sowing has the advan- 

 tage of getting the plants so deeply rooted that they will bear 

 having the earth slightly pulled away from them in the first 

 weeding, without so much injury as sometimes results when 

 they are planted shallow. While planting, as well as when 

 using the hoe, our farmers will find the advantage of having 

 a finely pulverized surface to work on, free of all clods, 

 sticks, and stones ; as such will continually vary the straight- 

 ness of the rows, interfere with the planting and covering of 

 the seed, and, when the hoe is used, glance it out of its 

 course in among the tender plants. 



WEEDING. 

 T N FROM TWO TO THREE WEEK*, if the weather is an average 

 }■ for the season, the young plants by a close examination 

 may be seen pushing their green arches above the surface, 

 bearing a close resemblance to a curve of grass. As soon 

 as sufificiently up to enable a sharp eye to determine the- 

 course of the rows, without delaying a day or an hour, if 

 the weather permits, the prudent cultivator will slide through 

 his scuffle-hoe ; as at this season of the year the weather is 



