146 



Bulh or Onion Crops 



Early onions are grown to a considerable extent from 

 transplanted seedlings. This method is sometimes known 

 as " the new onion culture." The plants are started Janu- 

 ar}^, February or March in hotbeds or the forcing-house, 

 and are transplanted to the open when the season will per- 

 mit. In mild climates, as California, onion seedlings may 

 be transplanted in spring from seed-beds sown in autumn. 

 The large quick-growing southern types of onions, as Gi- 

 braltar and Prizetaker, may be grown to perfection in the 

 North by this method, whereas the season may not be long 

 enough for plants started in the open. Of course these 

 transplanted onions may be carried through to maturity 

 for autumn and winter use as are other onions grown from 

 seeds, and extra quality bulbs may be produced. 



Main-Crop Dry Onions 

 The general commercial onion supply is the crop of ma- 

 ture ripened bulbs, harvested and cured in autumn and 

 sold in bulk as are potatoes. This main-season crop is 

 grown from seeds, sown directly in the field where the 

 crop is to grow. Earliness is not particularly desired, and 

 there is less necessity, therefore, of making heavy appli- 

 cations of fertilizers which are quickly available. All 

 onion lands need to be well fertilized, however, particu- 

 larly with the materials rather rich in potash. Onions are 

 relatively surface feeders; therefore the top of the soil 

 should be very finely prepared, and the fertilizer should not 

 be plowed under. Every attention should be given to pre- 

 venting the soil from baking and to keeping the surface 

 in uniformly good tilth. Fig. 65 shows the graceful curves 

 in an onion. 



