522 THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. [Oct. 
crops may be expected to rise therefrom in March or April. For 
the methods of sowing and treating them, see the Kitchen-Garden 
for March. 
Shallots, Chives, Garlic, and Rocambole. 
This is a very proper season to plant roots of shallots, chives, 
garlick, and rocambole; for the method of planting them, see page 
198. 
Planting large Onions for producing Seed. 
For this purpose make choice of a piece of good, l'ich light 
ground, which dig a full spade deep, breaking it fine as you proceed; 
when ready, select a number proportionate to the quantity of seed 
you intend to save, of the firmest, largest and best shaped onions, 
and of the most desirable kinds, observing that each variety is to be 
planted separately, and remote from any other. 
The middle of October, or any time between that and the end of 
the month, is the most eligible lime for planting, as the bulbs will 
have time to establish roots or fibres, which will greatly support 
them during winter, and render them less liable to injury from frost, 
than if planted at a later period. 
Having your ground dug and the* roots in readiness, lay it out 
into four feet wide beds, with a fourteen inch alley between each; 
then strain a line about six inches within the side of a bed, and with 
a spade throw out an opening or drill about five inches deep the 
length of the bed, in which lay the onions seated handsomely on 
their bottoms, about nine inches distant one from the other; then 
with a rake, draw the earth into the opening so as to cover the 
bulbs from three to four inches above their crowns; remove 
the line a foot farther back, plant another row as before, and so 
continue till the first bed is planted containing four rows; after 
which proceed with the others in the same way, to the end; then 
with a spade or shovel cast over the beds, a slight dressing from 
the alleys, and finish by raking them neatly, drawing off the stones 
and any large lumps of earth from the surface. 
In March the leaves will appear above ground, after which they 
are to be kept perfectly free from weeds; many of the roots will 
produce three or four stalks each, which towards the latter part of 
May will have grown to their lull height, when you must be pro- 
vided with a sufficient number of stakes, about four feet long, to 
drive into the ground in the rows of onions, at the distance of from 
six to eight feet, stake from stake in each and every row, to which 
are to be fastened, double lines of pack-thread, rope-yarn, or small 
cord, to run on each side of the stems of the onions a little below 
their heads, to support and prevent them from breaking down by- 
wind and rain; and if those are tied together at intervals between 
stake and stake, they will the more effectually support the plants. 
This is the more necessary, as when the seeds are formed, the 
heads become very heavy, and often break down, even by their own 
weight, where they are not well secured, in which case, there will 
be a considerable loss, both in the quantity and quality of the seed. 
