***** 
Daniels Bros., Norwich, Spring, 1893 . 
29 
Onion. 
Cultivation. — Preparation of Ground. — The Onion is what may bo termed a gross feeder; it cannot be grown to perfection 
without a good depth of rich and well pulverised soil and an open situation. Superficially, it would appear the reverse of this, though 
the roots are known to run perpendicularly downwards many feet in depth where agreeable soil exists, and for which reason very deep and 
good cultivation is of the first importance. In preparing a bed for Onions, therefore, always endeavour to trench it deeply, adding 
abundance ol manure at the bottom of each trench, and throughout its various strata as the work progresses. The object to bo obtained 
being to thoroughly break up and manure the soil to the depth of twenty to twenty-four inches, wo should recommend its accomplishment 
in the following manner: — In October or November, or as early 
as possible afterwards, dig out a trench two feet wide and one 
spade deep, removing the soil where you intend to finish ; break 
up the bottom or subsoil of the trench another spade deep, 
mixing in a liberal quantity of manure, throw on this the soil 
from the next space of two feet, again mixing in plenty of manure, 
treat the second and succeeding trenches in the same manner, 
until the whole plot is completed. It is found that by this 
means the ground will resist drought much better than when 
dug in the ordinary way, that heavy soils are rendered less 
retentive, and light soils greatly improved, and that all soils are 
much benefited, and will yield much finer crops in successive 
seasons. By timely sowing, good cultivation, and careful harvest- 
ing, Onions can be produced in this country, in size, quality, and 
mildness of flavour, and for culinary purposes, equal to the finest 
importations from Portugal or Spain. And the great wonder is 
that much larger quantities are not grown, as thousands of tans 
are imported at a cost of something like £80,000 to £100,000 
annually, which could be as well produced at home to meet the 
great demand for this much esteemed article of food, possessing 
as it does such valuable medicinal and nutritious properties. An 
occasional dressing of soot during the "Winter and Spring wall be 
of great benefit. Daniels’ Eureka Manure w-orked into the 
soil, or applied in liquid form, is a powerful stimulant to growing 
crops. 
Spring Sowing. — The early sowing, consisting of such 
sorts as Golden Rocca, Daniels’ Improved White 
Spanish, Red Wethersfield, and Zitteau Giant 
Yellow, &c., should be made early in February, and the main 
one of all kinds early in March. Always where convenient, sow 
in drill-rows, drawn very shallow, and about nine inches apart. 
Before sowing the seeds the ground should be well trodden down 
and raked level. Immediately the seeds are sown, level in the 
drill-rows neatly, then well tread over the whole surface of the 
bod, again raking it over to remove all stones, &c. The young 
seedling plants must be kept quite free from weeds by frequent use 
of the" hoe, and immediately they are large enough, thinning 
should be performed, carefully drawing all weaklings out without 
disturbing such as are to remain, and which should he at a 
distance of from eight to nine inches apart, if any fine produce is 
aimed at. Where, however, much moderate-sized produce is in 
demand (and it has become the fashion to garnish with such) it 
is not desirable to thin nearly so much. In regard to growing 
“ picklers,” these should be sown more thickly, and receive no 
thinning out at all ; and it may he necessary, in the case of very 
‘mod ground, to sow them on to a poor site chosen for its poverty, 
and stony, or similar characteristics. Irrigation or any kind of 
artificial waterings, especially if more or less mammal, will prove 
of o-reat benefit in growing large and fine produce. The maggot, 
which often attacks the crops, may be “kept off” by sprinkling 
the young seedlings thinly with fresh slaked lime immediately 
after thinning, and during showery weather. Watering them 
with the lime water has also the same effect. 
Autumn Sowino is growing more in favour every year with most cultivators, and the many advantages to be derived from having 
be had for use all through the Spring and early Summer months. Daniels’ Golden Rocca, Daniels Giant Rocca, and 
Daniels’ Crimson Rocca are the best kinds for Autumn sowing. 
Tivf of Sowing for Standing the Winter.-Sow any time from the middle of July to the second week in September in 
ret^i Vtay #tw ' in* nlwwt inch* 
apart, but where extra fine bulbs are required for exhibition and other purposes, we strongly recommend transplan 
EVIDENCE OF QUALITY. 
Saimundham, The Garden of Suffolk.”— The Rev. MONTAGUE ARNOLD, Ringsileld. 
“ The Onion Seed I hud from you last year turned out splendidly.”— Mr. JAMES STEVENSON, Bloxliolme Hall. 
