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THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



This is sown in August or September, and the seedlings are 

 generally pricked out in October (the roots and leaves being 

 trimmed at the same time), and they are slightly sheltered during 

 the winter when the frost is severe. The bulbs are fit for use in 

 May. By sowing the New Queen variety in the same way, a crop 

 could, no doubt, be obtained in April. 



Sometimes the Onion is grown as a biennial — that is, its culture 

 extends over nearly two whole years. In this case, the growth is 

 retarded by planting out, not young seedlings, but small bulbs 

 raised the year before by sowing very thickly in spring and growing 

 them on like summer Onions, but without thinning them. These 

 small bulbs, which are about as big as a Hazel-nut, easily keep 

 through the winter, and when planted out in spring increase in 

 size rapidly, and in a few months become as fine bulbs as those 

 obtained from plants grown on through the winter in the usual 

 way. This mode of culture was recommended a very long time 

 ago by MM. Lebrun and Nouvellon, who applied it to Onions of 

 every kind. At the present day it is generally practised, especially 

 in the east of France, with a yellow variety, the small bulbs of 

 which form an important article of commerce, under the name of 

 Mulhouse Onions. When the bulbs of this variety are fully 

 grown, it is very difficult to distinguish them from those of the 

 Strasburg Onion. The Brown Portugal Onion may also be grown 

 in the same way. 



For good Onions there is always 

 a large demand, and late in the 

 season they fetch high prices. In 

 nearly all market - gardens round 

 London, Onions are grown to a 

 large extent both as summer and 

 winter crops. In the neighbourhood 

 of Lea Bridge large fields are devoted 

 to them, and from this district come 

 large quantities of the finest produce 

 brought to market. Great breadths 

 of Onions are also grown at Fulham, 

 Chiswick, Deptford, and Mitcham, 

 the land thereabouts being light and 

 rich and well suited for their cul- 

 ture. The main spring sowing, 

 which consists usually of the Dept- 

 ford and Reading varieties, is made 

 as soon after the middle of February 

 as the condition of the soil and 

 weather permits. If the seed be 

 good and is sown broadcast, nine 

 to twelve pounds per acre are used ; 



but if sown in lines, only eight 

 pounds to the acre are needed- 

 Land intended for Onions is gene- 

 rally roughly trenched during winter 

 and thrown into ridges, so as to 

 become thoroughly pulverised and 

 sweetened by the action of the frosL 

 During dry weather in February the 

 ridges are levelled and the surface 

 rendered smooth by raking and roll- 

 ing, after which the seed is sown 

 either broadcast or in drills 9 to 

 I o in. apart. If small pickling bulbs 

 be desired, seed is sown broadcast 

 at the rate of twenty pounds per 

 acre. After sowing, the seed is raked 

 or harrowed in, and the operation 

 is completed by rolling the surface 

 firm and even. After the young 

 Onions appear above the ground, 

 weeding and thinning are proceeded 

 with as may be required. Broad- 

 cast sowing is considered the best 



