The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-04-13
AGRICULTURE.

ONIONS "A field for onions should be
nearly level. If there are elevations in
it the soil OH them will be likely to
wash away, carrying off the seed before
1t germinates, or leaving part of the
onions exposed to the sun. a piece OF
land intended for onions should be en-
tirely free from the seeds of weeds in
the start, and there should be deter
ninatlon on the part Of the grower to al
low none to attain any considerable
size. Absolutely clever culture is es-
sential in producing paying crop of
onions. Neglect in. this matter will
cause Il vast amount Of work, which
Will not, after all, insure good crop of
onions. a field Of onions can not be
neglected on account of a demand for
labor on other parts Ola farm. Unless
farmer has help that can attend to his
field Of onions during the season Of
plOwing corn, cutting grass. and har-
vcsting grains, it will be better not to
attempt to raise the crop at all. The
care Of onions, however, calls for light
work, which may be chiefly performed
by old men, partial iuvalids, women,
and children. Persons who can not
perform heavy work on the farm may
engage in onion-raising to excellent adj
vantage. 1t IS useless to undertake to
raise Il paying crop Of onions OH land
that's not very highly manured. From
thirty to fifty loads of manure should
be applied to an acre of land designed
for producing this crop. 1t should be
we'll rottcd and free from the seed Of
grass and weeds. Unleachcd ashes
form a valuable addition to composted
stable manure. After Il piece Of land
has been prepared for onions it is best
to continue the crop for a series of
years. AS onions arc gross feeders 1t
will, Of course, be necessary to apply 4
coating OF manure every season. The
soil OF an onion-ficld should be well
pulvcriZcd and the manure thoroughly
incorporated with it After tits plOwcd
and narrowed n roller should be en-
ploycd for crushing the humps. Many
growers employ a mandrake for iining
the soil before tho seed is sown. About
four pounds of seed are required for an
acre. 1t should be the product Of the
previous season. The seed may be
tested by counting out certain number
and placing them on some moist cotton
laid in saucer. If good, twill germ
mate in three or four days. The seed
should be sown os early In the spring
as il is possible to prepare the land.
Growers who aim to get the largest
yirld from a given amount Of land al
low only the sDace Of a foot between
the rows. There Ia a drill which plants
two rows of onion seed at once. If
Sovn hv hand one seed should be drop
ped every inch. In order to mark the
rows it Is well to drop radish seed
every five or six inches. The radisiics
will grow very rapidly, and will be
large enough to pull before the onions
attain sufficient size to bs injured by
their presence. II there is no market
for radishes in the vicinity, cabbage
plants may be raised In their place.
When Of sufficient size they may be
pulled and transplanted. The cultiva-
lion of onions must he chiefly periOrnl-
ed by means of hand tools. The Shuillo
hoe is the best implement for doing
most Of tho work. 1t should be Of The
bcspquality, and great pains should be
taken to keep it clean and sharp. After
the plants arc about four inches high
they must be thinnea so that each has a
space Of about three inches in which to
grow. Some growers who seek to raise
very large crops allow three onions to
grow In tho space of six inches. or
course they crowd each other after they
have become of nearly full size, but
this thick setting is necessary to secure
the maximum yield. After they are
lhinncd to the proper distance nothing
Is required by way of cultivation cN-
ccpt to keep the soil light and free from
weeds.