474 
asunder in the row. Instead of drills, the 
bulbs may be planted in holes made by the 
dibber. The flower-stems require support as 
they advance in height. Stakes should there- 
fore be driven in, and tarred cords stretched 
horizontally on each side of the row of stems. 
In August or September, when the seeds are 
ripe, the stalks should be cut over by the 
ground and laid on a cloth in the open air 
for a few days to dry; but during this process 
the seeds ought not to be exposed to rain. 
The seeds keep good for two years, seldom 
longer. 
Insects, &c.—See chapter on this subject. 
foot Enemies.—Brassy Onion Fly, Millipedes, 
Onion Fly, Wireworms. 
There are many varieties, all more or less 
subject to variation, so that if shades of differ- 
ence were taken into account, names would be 
uselessly multiplied. It is necessary, however, 
to distinguish the sorts that are early or late, 
large or small, mild or strong, and such as | 
keep only a short time or till late in spring. | 
The principal of these are :— 
Ailsa Craig.—This remarkable Onion holds the record 
for weight both as single bulbs and in groups of one dozen 
or more, namely, 3 lbs. 74 ozs. for a single specimen, and 
374 lbs. for one dozen roots. It is of more value for 
exhibition than for use. 
Bedfordshire Champion.—One of the best and most 
popular of the large globe Onions. In shape it resembles 
James’s Keeping, but is paler in colour and milder in 
flavour. One of the most reliable, and a good keeper. 
Blood-red (fig. 1230).—Middle-sized or rather large, 
flattish; skin dull-red, the coating next below it glossy 
and very dark-red; flesh very firm and solid, white; the 
internal layers palest at the base, and, except at the top, 
only coloured on their outsides; each layer is paler than 
the one which surrounds it till the centre is reached, 
which is white. Strong in flavour, and a late keeper. 
Brown Globe.— Medium-sized, globular or obovate with 
a high rounded crown; skin reddish-brown; fiesh pale 
throughout, or sometimes in rather darker-skinned forms 
having a slight shade of red as an outside coating to the 
various layers. An excellent and much-esteemed keeping 
variety. Magnum Bonum is a fine form of this. 
Brown Spanish.— Medium-sized, fattened or oblate, 
regular and even in form, with a small neck, of free 
growth, very hardy, and ripening early; skin dark red- 
dish-brown; flesh firm and solid, tinged with red. A 
good keeper of excellent quality. Strasburg and Deptford 
are forms of it. 
Egyptian (fig. 1229).—When the flower-stalks of this 
Onion are allowed to run up, they become viviparous, 
small bulbs about the size of marbles being formed at the 
top instead of flowers. A few offset bulbs are also formed 
under-ground, and by these, but chiefly by the little bulbs 
on the stem, the variety is propagated. The stem-bulbs 
are excellent when pickled. 
Improved Reading.— A maincrop Onion of excellent 
shape and mild flavour. An exceptionally good keeper, 
remaining sound after other varieties have decayed. 
THE GARDENER’S ASSISTANT. 
James's Keeping.—Large, pear-shaped; skin brown; 
veins purplish-red; flavour strong. Much esteemed for 
its long and sound keeping qualities. . 
Lisbon (fig. 1235).—Large, globular, the neck rathe 
thick; skin smooth, thin, clear and white. A late but 
hardy sort; if sown in August it affords a good supply of 
young Onions for spring salads; or if transplanted from 
the autumn-sown beds in April, large bulbs will be formed 
towards the end of summer. 
Madeira (fig. 1238).—Very large, roundish -obovate, 
with a thick neck; skin reddish-brown, the layer under 
it pale-red. A soft mild Onion, which does not keep long, 
Fig. 1238.—Onion—Madeira. 
but on account of its large size and mild flavour it is 
| deserving of cultivation for early use. 
Perfection (fig. 1227).—An ovate solid Onion which 
_ attains a very large size, and is suitable either for spring 
or autumn sowing, but the finest results are obtained from 
the latter. Skin yellow, flavour excellent, keeps well. 
Potato (fig. 1228).—This forms a number of buibs on 
the parent root beneath the surface of the ground, and 
by means of these it is propagated, and in this way an 
abundant supply may be ensured, even in seasons when 
the sorts usually raised from seeds either wholly or par- 
tially fail. Or, if other kinds do not keep well, as is 
frequently the case, the Potato Onion will afford a supply 
before the others are fit. The bulbs are of average size, 
somewhat irregular, with a loose reddish-brown skin; 
flesh tolerably firm and solid, and of fair quality. It is 
very prolific. 
Queen (fig. 1233).—Forms bulbs as quickly as a Radish, 
is a two- or three-leaved form of Silver-skinned, with small 
round white bulbs, and is probably the same as Nocera, 
as introduced thirty years since, an Onion which is apt to 
degenerate into a larger and coarser form under cultivation 
in this country. 
Rousham Park Hero.—A large handsome variety of the 
Spanish type. A favourite for exhibition. 
Silver-skinned (White Egyptian, Early Hard Dutch) 
(fig. 1231).—Bulb roundish-oblate; skin thin, white and 
shining; the layer beneath of a beautiful clear white, 
striped with fine green lines; flesh pure white, firm, and 
solid. Much esteemed and cultivated for its mild quality, 
and for pickling. 
