SEED CATALOGUE of L. L. 1%T W ^ CO., ST. PAUL, MINN. 17 
Si-edsmfii, Florists, Nurserymen 
— Are Hardiest For All Climes 
May's Onions--We Guarantee Our Seed 
To Produce Bulbs of Handsome Appearance and Best Keeping Qualities 
ONIONS, llozv to Grow Them Profitably, by seventeeti prac- 
licnl onion men. In the successful raising oj the onion 
BOTTOM ONroN SETS are t!ie product of seed and are used lor 
"Gr:-en Onions" or to produce larger onions, which they do 
much more quickly than when grown from seed. Plant Bot- 
tom Onion Sets for first green onions for 
table use. They produce large onions 
ready for market or home use from 
four to six weeks earlier than can 
be done by sowing seed. Quarts 
sent by mail, postpaid; pecks 
and bushels by exprejs at 
purchaser's exp(iiSf\^Prices 
may change withoUt notice. 
you 'will find that good judgment and experience play 
an important part. Perhaps 
no vegetable crop is more 
certain to pay the skillful 
grower. If you intend 
to grow onions suc- 
cessfully, you need 
one of these books 
Price 25c. 
AILSA 
CRAIG 
THIS 
SPLEN- 
DID 
VARIETY 
IS IN 
INCREAS- 
ING 
DEMAND 
MAY'S AlLSA CRAIG 
THE AILSA CRAIG jV superior even in size and flavor to the best 
Spanish varieties. It is the most popular onion on the Eng- 
hsh market of today, and where Icnown in this country takes the 
lead of all others. It is a handsome globe shape, the outer skin 
being a beautiful straw color. When sown in hotbeds in early 
spring and transplanted enormous crops can be raised, yields of 
over looo bushels to the acre not being uncommon. Single bulbs 
weigh 2)^ to 3 lbs. each. 'We espcci.ally recommend the Ailsa 
Craig to our customers because with its attractive appearance 
and delicate flavor it-is the most desirable variety for the market. 
Packet 10c., ounce ioc, J<i-pound $1.00, pound $3.00, postpaid. 
MAY'S MINNESOTA GROWN ONION SEED 
IN NO VEGETABLE does the value of th^ crop depend more directly 
on the QuaHty oi the seed, than the Onion. It is a well known 
fact that the farther north vegetable life is developed the stronger, 
hardier and better that development is. This is especially true 
regarding onions grown^ from our Minnesota seed. They arc 
earlier, hardier, finer flavored, better colored, firmer, and in every 
way superior. We guarantee our seeds strictly Highest Grade, 
of strong vitality, and to give satisfactory results. 
Plant 
.Marquis 
meat. 
Best by test. 
Do not fail 
to look 
over page 
4S of this 
seed catalogue. 
Cultural Directions 
ONION'S THRIVE in any good soil but the very sandy soils are apt to dry 
out to too great an extent. The best ground to use is that which has 
been used for onions before, or for any other crop that has kept it up'to a 
high degree of fertility and which has been fall ploughed and spring'har- 
rowed. After the ground has been thoroughly pulverized, sow the seed as 
early as possible in the spring (before the middle of May. though late crops 
have been sown as late as Tunc), about )4, inch deep in rows 12 to 15 inches 
apart. Use only seed of high germinating qualities and sow a little thicker 
than the onions arc to stand to avoid unnecessary thinning. In the case 
of the larger varieties, however, the young seedlings should be transplanted 
to permit the plants to reach full size and development. As soon as they 
break through the surface soil the plants should be cultivated by a cultivator 
that works both sides of the rows at once. Hand weeding should follow 
and this should continue until the plants arc large enough to be injured by 
the cultivator when it should be abandoned and hand hoeing resorted to 
Continue cultivation until ihc bulbs begin to form after which it is not good 
to work loo much among them lest the tops be broken down before they 
are ready. VV'hen the onions are about the size of a half dollar and before 
the tops break down it is well to give a light dressing of seme quick acting 
fertilizer, which should be done preferably before or during a rain. Pull when 
the tops begin to die down, cure and sell or store in a cool dry place. One 
ounce of seed sows 100 feet of row. 5 or 6 pounds to the acre. 
l''or sets select clean sandy soil of medium fertility, prepare it well and 
sow the seed in drills using 40 to 60 pounds per acre. Gather the sets when 
ripe, cure and store in a dry airy place. They may be wintered in a slightly, 
frozen condition, but must be protected from repeated freezing and thawing. 
In the early spring following plant them in shallow drills iz inches apart 
and 2 inches apart in the drill. 
