The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-05-09
Of onions.

There is no crop that goes into the
ground as early as onions. The crop is
one for which the soil cannot be made
too rich, and it will thrive on the soil
where previous crops Of the same kind
have grown. In preparing the ground
for onions it is important that it be
made as fine MS possible, as it is useless
to attempt to get large yields on land
that is covered with clods and humps,
the seed being sometimes slow Of ger.
mination and easily destroyed. Having
thoroughly plowed the ground it should
be worked over with o harrow until
every part is rendered very fine and the
sol lthoroughly pulverized. Then should
be spread evenly any quantity Of good,
perfectly decomposed stable manure,
not that which is mingled with coarse
i ait pfSel Rgt TT qs5hP , IS has been !. !. put through
a very fine condition. The greater the
quantity the better, and after the ma
nure has been broadcasted the harrow
should again be passed over MEDICATION
in order that the manure may be we'll
incorporated with the soil. II may he
necessary to use the rake. rs the crop
requires extra carein the beginning, and
any neglect at that time will make q
marked difference in the field Of the
crop, and the thorough pulverization of
the soil saves labor in seeding and work
ing the young plants after they are up.
The crop is mostly worked by hand,
but wheel hoes are sometimes used with
advantage. As the seed terminates
slowly the grass and weeds often get the
start and occupy the ground before the
young plants are high enough to mark
off the rows, and in that case it is nee
essary to be very careful, as the rows
must be cleaned, removing the weeds by
working on the knees. This being done
the ground should be hoed thoroughly
and made very clean. after which the
work will be easier. If the crop is grown
from seed the plants should be thinned
to a single plant for every four inches.
but if sets are desired the seed should
be sown thickly and remain on the
ground until the tops are dead.
In putting out sets the same careful
preparation Of the seedbed should be
made and the crop kept clean from the
start. It is only necessary topress them
gently in position, as they easily take
root, and the rows should be Just wide
enough to allow of the hoe. It has,
been demonstrated that a mulch be-
tween the rows is very beneficial, and
assist not only in keeping down the
grass and weeds, threby saving labor
but also increases the yield. The
amount usually grown oman acre de-
ponds upon the fertility of the soil and
the attention bestowed in the cultiva-
ton. Over 600 bushels have been
grown on some onion farms in New
England, but the crop seems to do bet
ter in that region than III many other
sections. When growing from seed the
red are mostly preferred: but the white
and yellow varieties seem to be the
choice in this latitude. especially the
yellow Danvers. Onions are good
winter keepers, and when frozen are
not always destroyed if left undisturbed
to thaw gradually. It issa readily sale.
able crop, and wonld be; a feature on all
farms, as it is in the gardens, but for
the labor required in its %cultivations
AS the value of n good crop is very
great. however, the profitsare p.douM
equal. in proportion, tostlte expense.