37 2 Account of the different Varieties of the Onion. 



seed from Portugal as an object of trade, which will account 

 for its not being found in the shops ; for as the sort is unques- 

 tionably tender, it would not answer to save the seed at home. 

 The Portugal Onion varies in its shape, but it is usually flatly 

 globular, and grows to a large size in rich and moist soils ; 

 the colour of the outer skin is brown, which falling off, shows 

 beneath it a fine green, with a smooth surface. The fibres 

 of the root are very strong, and the tops are large. Whenever 

 this kind is grown it should be used early, for it will not keep 

 till the spring. The large roots which I grew were remarkably 

 mild, but the smaller ones, being more ripened, were less so. 



4th. The Spanish Onion. The Ognon dEspagne of the 

 French. In the English gardens it is known under the various 

 names of the White Spanish, the Reading, the White Reading, 

 the Portugal, the White Portugal, the Cambridge, the Evesham, 

 and the Sandy Onion. It is very commonly known by the 

 name of the Reading Onion ; the soil around that town being 

 pculiarly well adapted for the growth of Onions, and this 

 kind being much cultivated there, has caused it to acquire that 

 appellation. Its other provincial names arise from a similar 

 cause. It appears to be derived from the true Portugal 

 Onion, accommodated by frequent reproduction from seed, 

 to the climate of this country. Its shape is flat, its size is 

 large, and its colour is white, tinged with green ; the outer 

 or loose skin gives it a brownish appearance at first, but when 

 that falls off, which it does spontaneously, the next coat ap- 

 pears varied green. This is the best Onion for a general crop, 

 for early winter consumption, its size makes it useful, and 

 it is also particularly mild ; but it has not the keeping quality 

 of some other kinds. It is very much cultivated by gardeners. 



