Bulletin 81. 
6 
Seeding. Seeding is begun as early as March 15, and is con¬ 
tinued as late as April 20, though it is desirable that all seed be 
in the ground by the 10th of April. The importance of early 
seeding should be emphasized, as it is essential that the bulbs 
make as much growth as possible before the hot weather of mid¬ 
summer comes on. The seed is sown about one inch deep, with 
hand seed drills, using from three and one half to four pounds of 
seed per acre. The distance between the rows depends on the 
system of irrigation to be followed. If the field is to be flooded 
the rows are usually made 12 or 14 inches apart (Plate II). But 
if the furrow system of irrigation is adopted, the ground is plowed 
out in ridges after it has been thoroughly prepared. The ridges 
are made 30 inches apart and then flattened to about nine inches 
on top. Two rows, three inches apart, are planted on each ridge; 
the furrows between the double rows being used for irrigation and 
for cultivation (Plate III). Most growers try to plant the seed so 
that the plants will be one and one half inches apart in the row, 
so as to avoid thinning. In fact, but little thinning is done in 
this vicinity. 
Cultivation. Cultivation and weeding is begun by hand as 
soon as the plants appear above ground. Cultivation is given 
with a hand wheel hoe, while weeding and thinning, if thinning 
is necessary, must be done by hand. The number of hand weed- 
ings that are necessary will depend on the season, but usually 
three are sufficient. The ground should be cultivated after each 
weeding, and at such other times as the season indicates. Four or 
five cultivations are required in the vicinity of Fort Collins. 
It is important that weeding be attended to promptly, lest the 
plants become weak and spindling from the crowding of the weeds. 
Many plants may be killed during the process of weeding, and 
others may soon dry out and die as a result of being suddenly 
exposed to the sun. 
Irrigation. Specific directions for irrigating onion fields 
cannot be given, since methods must necessarily differ in different 
fields and in different seasons. In the first place, damp, but not 
wet soils, are selected, when possible. Such a soil does not need 
much water in the fore part of the season, and when of the proper 
texture the fields may be flooded, when water must be applied 
without damaging the crop by subsequent baking of the surface. 
In the vicinity of Fort Collins irrigation is not begun before the 
first of July, and is continued at intervals of ten days or two weeks, 
according to the conditions of the season. Further down the 
river, where heavier soils are used, the ground is irrigated by 
running the water in furrows between double rows, as mentioned 
above. In this case irrigation is started the same day that the 
