CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
393 
for the family table. This method has several advan- 
tages. (i) It is very convenient to all classes. There is 
no outlay for glass and no trouble in caring for plants 
previous to field planting, as is the case when the trans- 
planting method is employed. (2) Fairly satisfactory 
results may be secured under conditions which would 
be unsuitable for the direct seeding or transplanting 
methods. (3) The bulbs mature considerably earlier 
than from seed sown in the field. On the other hand, 
yields are generally smaller than from seed sown under 
FIG. 91. ONIONS PACKED IN BERMUDA CRATE 
favorable conditions. The expenses for sets and plant- 
ing are important items when large areas are planted. 
Though there are now on the market onion set planters 
that will effect considerable saving in labor. 
Mature bulbs are grown from three classes of sets; 
namely, top or tree onions, which produce sets instead 
of seed; potato or multiplier onions; and the small bulbs 
grown from very thick sowings. 
Potato onions are used extensively in the South and 
are generally planted in the fall. Onion sets should be 
