384 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
thrive in the northern states, and with proper culture 
generally do well in the South. The multipliers or 
potato onions are thoroughly at home throughout the 
South, and with some winter protection may be grown 
for early bunching in the North. The Egyptian or 
Perennial Tree onion is hardy in the North, even with- 
out protection. 
While this vegetable may be grown successfully under 
a wide range of climatic conditions, it succeeds best in 
temperate regions without great extremes of heat and 
cold. When grown in the far South, as in Texas, ad- 
vantage is taken of fall and winter. The crop is planted 
in September and harvested in March and April. From 
130 to 150 days are required to mature bulbs of the 
various varieties. A bountiful supply of soil moisture 
is necessary early in the season, when the plants make 
very rapid growth. A dry soil and low humidity are im- 
portant for ripening, harvesting and curing the bulbs. 
531. Soil. — Land to be used in growing onions should 
be practically level to prevent damage from washing. 
The seeds, sets, or young, shallow-rooted plants are 
easily washed out on sloping lands. The soil should be 
retentive of moisture and yet well drained, friable, easily 
worked, fertile and free from stones and rubbish which 
would interfere with the proper use of drills, hand and 
wheel hoes. 
Vast areas of muck and peat soils are devoted to the 
culture of onions. The crop is doubtless grown at less 
expense in these soils, which abound in vegetable mat- 
ter, than in other types requiring more manure and fer- 
tilizer and a greater expenditure of labor. Their dark 
color causes them to warm up rapidly in the spring, and 
thus they favor early planting, which is universally re- 
garded as important. These soils, rich in organic re- 
mains, retain moisture, so that drouth seldom curtails 
the crop f:o any great extent. 
