68 THE BOOK OF RARER VEGETABLES 
The Egyptian or Tree Onion, often called the Garden 
Rocambole, throws up stems from the bulb which is 
planted, and on this is produced a number of small bulbs 
at the top of the main stem ; these being in a cluster, 
they are much liked for pickling. The plant often 
produces nearly a dozen small onions at the top of the 
stems when well grown. These when ripe keep for 
months if suspended from a roof in a cool place. The 
cultivation is simple. The plants may be propagated from 
the bulbs formed in the soil or from those on the stem 
placed in shallow drills early in the spring, as advised 
for the Potato Onion, but less room will suffice for the 
bulbs planted from the stem, 6 inches apart being 
sufficient. The growths need supports as the Onions 
form, and the plant matures its growth much better 
when supported. They like a rich, light soil, and at the 
planting it is necessary to make them firm in the soil as 
often birds pull up the loose bulbs. 
The Welsh Onion is the Allium pistulosum, a 
herbaceous perennial, a native of Siberia, and very hardy. 
There are two distinct varieties, the red and white, and 
it differs from the common Onion as it never bulbs ; the 
roots are long and tapering, with strong fibres, and its 
stems and leaves are hollow. Its value in the garden 
is mostly to furnish young growths for salads in the 
spring, and for stews and soups in a green state. Used in 
this way it is liked for its mild flavour, and as it starts 
into growth much earlier than our garden varieties, being 
so much hardier, it is useful. Sown in July or August 
it will give a spring supply ; sown broadcast a small bed 
will suffice. We grow it near the herbs ; it makes a good 
border plant. 
To Bake Onions 
Take any of the milder flavoured Onions of good size 
and, having removed the outer coats, boil them for about 
