The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-11-10
Growing Onions.


any well drained soil, If rich, will
grow onions. Where fertilizers are
needed, from twenty-five to fifty loads
Der acre of weli-rottened barn lot ma
nure should be applied, and il csm-
nercial fertilizer is employed, one
rich in all the elements Of plant food,
a high grade complete fertilizer,
should be used at the rate OF from oOO
to 1900 pounds per acre. according to
the needs Of the soil. One containing
) per cent, nitrogen, 6 per cent. phos-
phoric acid and per cent. OF potash is
considered satisfactory.
If possible a crop Of cow peas should
be turned under deep early in fall.
and from then forward until planting
time the land should be frequently
narrowed. "As mellow and rich as an
onion bed" is the old saying. indica-
tive of perfection in fertility and tilth.
Get as much of the cultivation done as
possible before the crop is planted.
The seed should be planted as early
as it can be obtained from the dealer,
usually about the middle of the last OF
September. or early in October. The
seed bed should be in good tilth, and
not too fertile. Plant in beds broad
cast. or sow by hand in rows about
two inches apart. On commercial
scale SOW with seed drill in rows ten
inches apart. where necessary to irri-
gate bed. T, secure sufficient plants
to supply an acre, planted 514la inch
es. about three pounds Of seed are re-
quired. Depth Of planting is al i'm
portant point, and may vary from
one-fourth to one-half inch, according
~ the character Of the soil.
Two methods Of irrigation are prac-
ticed; first, ridge is thrown up
around the seed bed and they are
flooded. Second, water is led down
the middle of the narrow rows by
opening a shallow trench with hoe.
When the plants are the diameter OF
a lead pencil they are ready to go 10 the
field. Wet the bed thoroughly, draw
the plants and trim.
II possible weeds and grass Should
never be allowed to get start. Where
irrigation water is used or grain oc-
ours. the sell should be stirred as soon
as possible thereafter. Too much
stress cannot be laid upon the impor-
tance ef perfect culture methods.
AS soon as so or 90 per cent. of tops
have fallen the crop is ready 10 har-
vest. and should lie gathered without
delay. The onions may be plowed out
or pulled by hand. according to char
acter and condition Of soil. Gather in
windrows and allow the crop to dry.
though care must be taken to prevent
injury from too long exposure i'll hot
sun. Remove tops and roots with
sharp knife; grade and crate in field.
Unless shipment occurs at once the
crates should be carefully removed
and stacked IN a we'll ventilated shed.
Throughout harvesting. special pains
should be taken to avoid bruising the
tender bulbs, as they Immediately
show the effect Of rough handling,
and soon decay.
The common injury reported results
from the attack Of the "thrips," " which
may infest the crop from the seed beds
forward. Their presence is easily de-
tected by the yellow appearance of the
top and the sticky feeling of the
leaves. Prompt measures must be
taken to save the crop, and experience
has shown that fine spray of solu-
| tion of four pounds of whale oil soap
in six gallons Of water will control the
pest in two applications, provided the
very centre Of the plant receives a
thorough dose.-E. G. Green.