390 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
Edr*y seeding is regarded as of the greatest importance 
As soon as the ground is fully prepared, the drills should 
be started. When wheel hoes are to be used it is cus- 
tomary to allow 12 to 14 inches between rows. When 
horse tools are employed in cultivating, the rows are 
made 24 to 30 inches apart. If the ground has been 
properly fitted for this crop, close planting and wheel 
hoe tillage will secure the largest profits. A small, well- 
trained mule can be used to draw the cultivator when 
the rows are only 18 inches apart. 
In fairly heavy soil the seeds should be covered with 
not more than y 2 an inch of soil. Three-fourths of an 
inch is sufficient in most soils, while I inch or more 
will do no harm in very sandy types. 
When the rows are 12 inches apart, 4P2 pounds of good 
seed to the acre will generally give a satisfactory stand 
of plants. More seed should be used in heavy soils, be- 
cause the percentage of germination will be lower. Some 
thinning is practiced by most onion growers, but the 
more skillful ones avoid this tedious operation to a great 
extent. They invariably make germination tests before 
sowing, and regulate the drill accordingly. It is cus- 
tomary to allow 8 to 12 plants to the foot of furrow. 
The thinning is frequently attended to at the first hand 
weeding. 
536. The transplanting method, known as the new 
onion culture, was developed simultaneously in 1888 and 
1889 by T. Greiner of New York state and professor 
W. J. Green of the Ohio Experiment Station. It con- 
sists in sowing the seeds in hotbeds or greenhouses six 
weeks or more in advance of transplanting in the field. 
The advantages as stateu by Professor Green (Ohio 
Sta. Bui. Vol. Ill, No. 9, p. 249) are as follows: 
“1. Transplanting onions increased the yield 100 per 
cent in some cases and gave a decided gain with all varie- 
ties. The varieties that gave the best results were Pom- 
