The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-03-21

main points; remove all refuse of pre-
vioUs crops in time to complete the
work before the ground freezes up, and
spread the composted manure evenly,
at the rate of twenty wagon loads per
acre. This should first be cultivated
in, and then the ground ploWed a mod
crate depth, taking narrow furrow III
order to thoroughly mix the manure
with the soil. Carefully avoid tramp
ing on the ground during the winter.
Cultivate or thoroughly drag the soil
with a heavy harrow as early in the
spring as it can be worked, and then in
the opposite direction with light one,
after which the entire surface should
be raked with steel hand rakes. It is
impossible to cultivate the crop eco
mtcally unless the rows are perfectly
straight. To secure this, stretch a line
along one side, fourteen feet from the
edge, and make distinct mark along
i5, then having made wooden marker,
something like giant rake with five
teeth about foot long and standing
fourteen inches apart, make four more
marks by carefully drawing it with
the outside tooth in, and the head at
right angles to the perfectly straight
mark made by the line. Continue to
work around this line until on the third
pass age of the marker you reach the
side of the field where you began;
measure fifteen feet two inches from
the last row, stretch the line again,
and mark around in the same way.
This is better than to stretch line
along one side, as it is impossible to
prevent the rows gradually becoming
crooked, and by this plan we straighten
them after every third passage Of the
marker,
Sowing the seed should be done as
soon as the ground can b9 gotten ready,
and can be done best by hand seed
drill (after trials of many seed drills,
find the Iron King the preferrabie).
This should be adjusted carefully (test
ing it by running it over board or
cloth) to SOW the desired quantity OF
seed, and about onehalt inch deep.
The quantity needed will vary with
the soil, seed used and the kind of
onions desired. Thin Seeding gives
much larger onions than thick. -Four
to five pounds per acre is the usual
quantity needed to grow large onions.
Give the onions the first hoeing just
skim ming the ground between the
rows as soon as they can be seen
the length OF the row. 1--WE find the
McG8e cultivator the best by all
odds) The hoes of this cultiyator
allow the earth to pass over tina blades
without moving it out Of place. Hoe
again in fe " days, this time close up
to the plants after which wedding must |
be con sinued. This operation requires
to be very carefully and thoroughly
done. The weeder must work on his
knees astride Of the rows, stirring the
earth around the plants in order to de-
etroy any weeds that have just started
In ten days or two weeks they will re-
quire another hoeing or similar weed
ing to the last, and two weeks later
give them still another hoeing, and if
necessary, another wedding. If the
work has been thoroughly done at the
proper time, the crop will not require
further care until ready to gather.
AS soon as the tops die and fall, the
bulbs should be gathered in windrows.
II the weather is fac they will need no
attention while curing, but, If it is not,
they will need to be stirred by simply
moving them slightly along the row.
Cut off the tops when perfectly dry
about half an inch from the bulb, then
after few days of bright weather the
onions will be fl to store for the win.
ter, unless desired for immediate sales. |
One of the most popular methods of
keeping onions is to spread straw to
the depth of eighteen inches upon the
barn floor, scaffold or garret; upon
this spread the onions six to ten inches
deep and cover with two feet of straw.
If in good condition, and sufficient
depth of covering is used, they will
keep in fine condition till May.
A cool, dry cellar OF some out-build-
ing, barn or carriage house, will be
found excellent for keeping onions. if
it has windows for ventilation. The |
cellar of a d yelling house is usually |
too warm. They should be spread on |
scaffolts about six inches deep, with |
room enough between the boards for
the air to circulate. Upon approach |
of cold weather, close the doors and |
windows, and keep the temperature