Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-12
ONION CULTURE.

much prefer writing on subjects re-
lating 20 diversified agriculture than 10
connning my discussions so much 70 the
few general field crops which at present
engage so much OF the attention OF our
people. Diversity is the keynote 70 sue
cess IN southern agriculture Too mucn
attention to any one crop not only means
overproduction. but II is bad policy 10
put all the eggs in one basket. unless
We could foresee or prOphesy seasons.
trade conditions. etc. The following in
uulry has Just come 10 hand. In com
pany with many others on various sub
jects. and II can be best answered BY
covering the whole field OF onion culture
as far as possible:
wv. A. p. HartweIl. Ca. June 3 iSo1-
As you seem disposed 20 treat us all kind
II. I want 10 ask you some questions about
the onion business.
4 Are they saleable2
- Where would be good market7
81 Would you sell direct. or have COM
mission merchants handler
Il When is the best time 70 market.
when first gathered. or hold over until
winter I harvest in June.
81 Which Is the proper way 20 put
them up for MARKET
IS. What ought they TO be worth IN
ground. or at different seasons OF the
year,
=. What would be the freight per
bu<hel for 80 miles?
= How much in a crate, and how are
they usually made7
Give me the names OF some good
commission merchants in such markets
As you would recommends
10. What commission do merchants
usually charged"
There is scarcely any vegetable crop
s@Swn which Is OF more general import
ance 70 the city and rural population OF
the United States than the onion crop.
There are larger profits In the business
TO skilful growers. where soils and eli
matte conditions are favorable II Is no
unusual sight in some sections TO see
from = TO 100 acres OF land planted in
one field. Notwithstanding the extensive
area planted IN onions IN this country
every year. there are yet hundreds OF
thousands Of bushels OF onions imported
from Bermuda France. Spain and Cuba
70 meet the demand Of our people.
Soil and Preparation.
II Is quite evident that the home demand
has not vet been supplied by local grow
ers and the business is yet an inviting
one. The proper selection OF soil Is quite
an important item In this country. The
profit or loss in the business very often
depends upon the character and fertility
0f the soil used 20 grow the crop. Heavy
clay soils should be avoided. because they
are not only difficult 10 cultivate. but
ara often difficult in organic matter. and
cannot be properly drained The surface
u such soils often bakes and dries and
nav not be gotten into condition for early
planting. Too sandy soils should be
avoided. because OF their incapacity TO
resist droughts and to hold the fertilizers
applied medium. sandy land abound
ing IN decayed vegetable matter Is the
best Muck lands are also good. Flowing
under a heavy crop OF pea vines in the
fan viii furnish sufficient vegetable mat
ter for the onion crop the following
suring When the pea vines are plowed
under a good dressing OF barnyard manure
should be hroaGcasted over the land and
narrowed in. This viii pace the soil IN
excellent condition for crop Of onions.
The following spring the land can be
put IN nice priable condition with a disc
-rrow-
FsrtiIizing and Planting.
-fanure from the hog pen or poultry
house Is the best. though any well rotted
barn yard manure IS good A high grade
commercial fertilizer. using nitrate OF
soda. for the nitrogen element viii give
good results also, and IL should be used
principally as top dressing. The ma
nures should te spread on the land and
narrowed in just before planting. about
81 loads per acre being the average
amount required. Commercial fertilizers.
apply about go pounds per acre in four
equal dressings. tie first application Just
before planting. the others at intervals
during the growth OF the plants.
The land should be prepared by blowing
20 q depth OF ten inches or more. Max
ing the rows u inches apart and allowing
three inches between the bulbs. IL will
require Il4240 plants TO set out one acre
The seed can be sown IN the fall or
winter and transplsnted. or the bulbs OF
sets can be purchased. II sets are used
they viii cost from s. 20 s. per bushel
and require from 20 10 bushels 10 set
an acre. The sets should be planted as
early as possible TO mature crop OF
larger tubers before very hot weather.
Transplanting Is best. II the grower will
properly plant and care for the seed bed.
Cultivation should be shallow and fire.
ouent The wheelhoe is an important
fn1plement and should be frequently used
70 keep down the weeds and grass, and
also 20 keep the top soil nicely pulverized.
n the bulbs begin TO mature and bottom
out. the soil should be gradually plowed
aw<s@ from them Hand wedding between
tha bulbs is an expensive item in the
culture and the work can be most eco
nomicaIly done with boys and girls
Harvesting and Storing.
Harvesting should begin promptly at
maturity, or when most Of the necks have
turned yellow and are whitening. The
niants are pulled up and deposited IN
windows containing the onions from
three or four rows. The crop should be
fsft in these urindrows for about ten DAYS
or until they are fully cured. II the
weather Is rainy. they can be cured under
sheds. Handle the bulbs carefully 20 pre-
vent bruising. II the sunshine Is very
hot. place the bulbs In larger piles and
cover with straw. to prevent the sun
shine from turning the exposed bulbs
green.
IN storing FOR winter. the bulbs should