Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-05-04
Onion Culture on the Farm.

Levi p. Warner, of New Hampshire,
says in the -AmcrtcuH AgricuIturiSt: The
writer has had thirty five years expert
ence with the onion as a field crop, and
has not been able to discover any change
in those fundamentals principles which
are indispensable to its growth and per
feet maturity. 1t requires a fine firm
texture of soil, drainage, rainfall Cor
Irrigation at suitable intervals, and If
the soil has been exhausted of its fertility
by repeated groupings it will refuse to
yield harvest even in these modern
times, because the onion has nothing in
itself to made crop of. In the matter
of rotation we have increasing evidence
that, with proper tillage and fertiliza-
ton, onions may be grown upon the
same field for long term of years, with
reasonable prospect of success. But
methods and systems have changed. 1t
was formerly said that the man skilled
with the hand hoe who would start early
and work hard and long would be sure
to succeed with this crop. While the
hard work has not been eliminated,
something more Is required now. New
and improved implements have been in
trOduced, whereby labor has been very
much abridged. Chemical fel tiizers
are more generally used. The demands
of the market are constantly changing,
and there is competition on every side.
The successful onion grower of the pres
ent time must be not only a willing
worker, skilled in the use of improved
implements, but he must be a well-read,
careful observer.
The soil upon which our onion crop
has been grown is alluvial, heavy loan,
but easily cultivated, nearly level, and
absolutely free from stones. The recent
practice has been to pillow in autumn,
after applying half-dressing of farm
yard manure, to be supplemented with
chemical fertilizers the ensuing season.
In early spring we apply to each acre
two hundred pounds of high-grade sui
plate of potash, an equal amount of
plain superphosphate, and one hundred
pounds sui phate of ammonia; harrow,
drag and mandrake until the ground Is
very fine, firm and free from all rubbish
that would obstruct the seed-sower or
push-hoe. We SOW four pounds per
acre of yellow Globe Danvers onion seed,
IN drills fifteen inches apart. The de-
mandS of the market must, however,
regulate, to some extent, the variety and
amount o. seed used. The after-culture
consists in keeping the crop free from
weeds, and thorough but shallow cult
walton oft repeated until the crop is
nearly grown. We usually apply one
hundred pounds nitrate of soda broad
east early in July, and if the crop seems
to require it, repeat the dressing after an
interval of a week or ten days. During
the last half of September the crop is
ready to harvest, when we pull the onions
and allow them to remain on the ground
to dry, four or FIVE days before and per-
haps as long after removing the tops.
Then, if the weather has been favorable,
they are in fine condition to store or send
to market. We invariably prefer the
latter, because it gives more time to at
tend to other farm work, which always
crowds at that season of the year, and
also saves cost of storage and re-sorting,
though others prefer another course.