ONION 



1467 



way the loose skins are removed and any 

 soft or decaying bulbs may be sorted 

 out. When bags are used for drying in 

 the field, the onions are screened in the 

 manner shown in Fig. 6, and the bags 

 refilled for hauling to the storage house. 



In screening, the onions are placed on 

 one end of the screen while the men 

 stand alongside and stir the bulbs about 

 with their hands, passing them along to 

 the opposite end, where the bags are 

 filled. 



Conditions Required in Storage 



The essentials for the successful stor- 

 age of onions are plenty of ventilation, 

 storing in small quantities, a compara- 

 tively low temperature, dryness, and 

 safety from actual freezing. Any build- 

 ing wherein the above conditions may 

 be secured will answer, but houses of 

 the type shown in Fig. 7, which are 

 built especially for the purpose, are most 

 satisfactory. 



The construction of the storage house 

 should be double throughout, with plenty 

 of felt or paper lining. Both top and 

 bottom ventilation should be provided 

 and the ventilator openings should have 



doors that may be closed to control the 

 temperature. The floors are constructed 

 of narrow planks with half-inch spaces 

 between the planks for the passage of 

 air. Bottom ventilation is frequently se- 

 cured by means of drain pipes built into 

 the foundation at the surface of the 

 ground. These pipes are carried some 

 distance toward the center of the house 

 and discharge the cool air at a point 

 where it is most needed. 



The temperature of the storage house 

 should be carried as low as possible 

 without actual freezing. During ex- 

 tremely cold weather the ventilator open- 

 ings and doors should be kept closed to 

 keep out cold, and after the onions have 

 become thoroughly chilled the house 

 should be kept closed in order to hold 

 the temperature down and prevent the 

 entrance of moisture during warm or 

 rainy periods. Damp, foggy weather is 

 injurious to onions, especially if it fol- 

 lows a period of cold, and will cause the 

 bulbs to become covered with moisture 

 if the outside air is admitted. A little 

 artificial heat from a stove or radiator 

 may be required during excessively cold 



Fig. 6. Grading Onions in the Field by Means of a Screen. 



