THE RURAL WORLD.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 385, 9 August 1911, Page 6

THE RURAL WORLD.

ONION-CULTURE]

W. 11. Taylor

What is Marketable.—Doubtless the chief market is for medium-sized bulbs, about four to the pound. This is more particularly the case when values are high. Onions are very largely used for flavouring. When, except in hotels, a very small piece is required, that left over is waste, as owing to the fact that onions absorb impurities any portion remaining is seldom kept, and never should be. However, some growers claim to have found ready sale at remunerative prices for considerable breadths of large bulbs. Indeed, it seems strange that a market should not be found for them in our large towns, seeing that vast quantities sold in towns in the Old Country, were for many months the large so-called Spanish onions form an important part of the stock in trade of all growers. The large onions would be marketed first; because they are not long-keepers. The next care should be to produce late-keepers, of such quality that the grower may be liab'e to store them for a favourable market, and not be forced to place them when values are falling. Varying Conditions. —Onion-culture assumes a different aspect according to the district in which it is undertaken. In some districts mildew is almost certain to appear on the plants, unless the season be unusually dry. Where this is so bulbs from seed sown in spring are likely to be too small. If mildew makes its appearance it probably ruins the crop. The trouble can be warded off by timely spraying with the 4-4-40 Bordeaux mixture; but this is seldom done, as it is left till too late. Prevention is the only way. Spraying does little good if the disease has got a firm hold before it is done. In thesa circumstances growers meet the difficulty by sowing in autumn - the end of March —and usually, but not always, transplanting in spring. Formerly an opinion prevailed that plants from seed sown in the autumn would run to seed if not transplanted. This has been proved not to be the case, except when they are sown too early. This is the objection to autumnsown onions, in that, though growth is more matured when mildew appears, which is in early February, and the plants are less injured by it, the bulbs do not keep as long as those from seed sown in spring. Therefore, the experienced man, though he sows his main crop in autumn, also sows another lot in spring to secure later though smaller bulbs. It may be thought that transplanting is a tedious and therefore expensive operation. Such is not the case, if it is done in the right way; and when it is uone there is no further work, except to keep the ground clear —no thinning is required, and planting can be done as quickly as thinning. The soil should, of course, be kept free of weeds right up to the time of planting, which should be done at the same time as seed is sown in spring. The w.isdcm or otherwise of sowing in autumn where the plants are to remain depends on the extent to which weeds grow, [f these are likely to be numerous it should not be attempted, because they cannot be destroyed by hoeing in winter-time. For transplanting the seed is sown thickly in drills. About IAI bof seed will provide plants for an acre of the small kinds, but lib of the large sorts will be sufficient.

Preparing the Soil. —Deep ploughing should be done in autumn, so that turf or weeds have time to decay and the soil become firm and sweet. A light ploughing will be necessary in spring, followed with the discs if at: all lumpy, then harrow, level, and roll. A large slab of wood if- good to drag over as a leveller, it also makes the surface tine. Before harrowing apply the fertilizer. Superphosphate is good, applying about 2ewt to o'ewiper acre. This manure is not immediately available as plant-food: hence the wisdom of applying it to the soil in advance of the seed or plan's. The seed should be drilled in, aUowsnj! about 2Alb per acre of the smaller sorts and less of the larger kinds. The drills should be about Ifi inches apart, to allow room for cultivating. Tiny may be as close as 12 inches ii they are to be hued by hand, as is frequently done. Thinning must be 'tone as soon as the plants are strong enough to null out easily. This operation is a matter for judgment. They need not be leit in a single row, tut no two should be left m close proximity to each other. The extent; of thinning should be ruled by the average size of bulb desired. The closer they are left: the smaller will he the bulbs. ll is not wise, to sow seed of large varieties in spring, for though they develop large bulbs, tluy are as a rule so late ripening oil', thai if is usually very imperfectly done. How to Plant. —A most important point is that the less of the stem that is bruised the better. If they are deeply planted they develop thick necks, and the bulbs are worthless. The roots only should he below the surface. To plant; them so is a very tedious operation unless gone about in the right way. When the to; s are

about (i inches high -is the lime io plant. To plant so ;hat they will stand up wonid require care, am! wniiid have to be done with a dilier, which wuu'd be too slow. Shallow drills, int. more

than 2 inches deep including tin.' riuge of soil thrown up, should he made with heavy marker, in;>k - in;.>' loin- "r live drills at a time. The plants are then laid on their sides with their rooLs in the drill, a little soil is then pulled over the roots with a hoe, and lightly trodden down. When growth begins

the plants wili pooh stand upright. 'ln grow large onions of the giant kinds the plants are left 12 inches apart. About half that distance would sui'ice for commercial purposes, producing smaller eize. For the keeping serfs 2 inches apart is ample. The time to sow cannot he accurately stated to suit all localities, but the earlier the better, provided--arid this is important—growth follows at once.

If tbey hang on without growing

freely it would have been better to sow later. The actual time varies from tlic Ist July to mid-August. This is not a desirable practice, arid is not necessary in our climate. A good strain of seed will produce bulbs that will mature naturally and more perfectly if left to dry on without twisting their necks. i prefer, in case heavy rain conn;; on before tiny art* quite ready to pull, to pull tliem nearly out, hut. still lenviiig a few roots as feeders.

Varieties.- -Ailsa '.'mi::, if of a good strain, is, I believe the In si. of the large sorts- a shapely, clean-looking bulb, and keep:- longi r tlta ! he- leeeas.

Brown Globe, Golden Globe. James's Keepig, and lirown Spanish are all excellent late-Uccpi'is. None of the white-skinned varieties are worth growing, except; for pickling. I'ick-ling-onions are obtained by sowing seed of White Queen or same such sort, about the middle of November. The soil should be poor, and made firm; sow thickly, and do not thin the plants.