


54 

Harvesting a fine crop of Burrell’s Yellow Valencia Onions, : Note 
the onions in the pile row, the collapsible field crates and in the 
background onions crated and stacked in the field to cure before 
hauling to storage. 
CULTIVATION AS oe 
As soon as the onions are large enough so that the rows can be seen, 
begin cultivating very shallow and as close to the rows as possible 
without damaging the plants. Cultivate every week to ten days until 
the bulbs have started to develop. 
Here a special weeder made from clock spring with handle, is used 
for removing grass and weeds from the row (listed page 83). Do not 
cover the onions with soil when hoeing or cultivating. 
If under irrigation; irrigate every week to 10 days until the crop 
is matured or up to about 10 days before harvest. Here we irrigate 
12 to 14 times and cultivate 10 to 12 times. 
Furrows must be large enough to irrigate without flooding. Flooded 
onions will not bulb properly. 
GATHERING 
As soon as the tops die in the fall, the bulbs should be pulled and 
about four rows put together in each windrow. As soon as the tops 
are dried, cut about one-half inch from the bulb with shears and put 
into field crates. Stack crates in piles of about one truckload each and 
protect top crates from -weather. When thoroughly cured, run over 
grader, sort out scallions and damaged bulbs and store in onion house. 
Stack so that the best of ventilation is assured. Keep dry and as near 
a uniform temperature just above 32 degrees as is possible. Repeated” 
freezing and thawing will spoil the bulbs. Very early onions are grown 
by the transplanting method, the seed being sown in frames or beds, 
and the small onions transplanted when the size of a small lead pencil, 
to the field rows. 
The tops of some Sweet Spanish Onions remain green right up until 
time it is necessary to harvest. The onions may then be pulled and 
allowed to remain in windrows long enough for drying down the tops. 
GREEN ONIONS DURING WINTER 
If yeu would like to have green onions during the winter, time, try 
planting the’seed early enough in the fall to grow plants about the size 
of a lead pencil. These may then be pulled before freezing weather 
sets in and trenched like celery. (See Page 22.) 
“All-America”, Winner 193%. Burrell’s Yellow Walencia won an 
award of merit and it justly deserves planting by those wishing 
the very best in large Yellow Globe, long keeping onions. 

