The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-01

In the southern states than in the north
ern states. Sets are used by gardeners
who want to grow crops early for
punching and selling green.
Onions grown from seeds are far bet
ter than those grown from sets, besides
they keep much better, and the crop is
generally more profitable. In fact, when
we come to count the cost of sets and the
expense of hand planting, as well as the
other hand work of washing and bunch
ing, there is not much profit derived from
the crop Some times the crop is left to
nature bulbs instead of being pulled and
sold green, but this is a risky business.
for often the crop is inclined to run TO
seed or to make worthless scallions. So
that | would recommend the use of seed
at that as it never pays to plant cheap
onion seed
Secure the best, though It may cost
five times as much as the cheap seed. A
letter addressed to me will bring further
information regarding onion seed. l might
state here that have been planting onion
seed for thirty years. from the same
source each year, and so far have never
had n failure or cause for complaint.
Along the gulf coast country OF Texas
there is still another class of onions
grown, with or under n system peculiar
to this section only. Here they grow what
are called Bermuda onions some Of which
are white, while others are red or straw
coored
What is known as the white variety is
quite extensively grown. These onions are
grown by sowing the black seed on well
prepared seed beds in the latter part of
summer. August or September. and trans
planting the plants to open ground in De-
cember or January, depending upon tho
location or season somewhat as to time
o. planting. When the plants on the seed
bed reach the size of a lead pencil they
are pulled up, both roots and tops
.s1fv, nffo t1,a or tj,u fhatn In
fourteen inches apart, and from three
to four inches apart In the row, where
they soon grow to maturity. These options
are grown under irrigation and so are
forced rapidly from the time seed are
planted until maturity, or until they have
reached n size ready for market.
Cost of Producing.
The cost in producing this class of
onions, taking into account seed. water.
fertilizers and rent OF land ranges from
$100 to $50 per acre. The yield per aero
ranges from 300 to 900 bushels AS high
as 927 has been produced on one acre,
giving a net profit OF 500
However. the average net profit per
acre for this class of onions as grown
in the Texas coast country is $500
This Ia something marvellous and es-
pecially so when we come to consider
the fact that this crop is grown IN the
winter and that It can se followed by
some other crop, The best onion growers
In the coast country never plant any
other crop on their onion lands but as
soon as the crop Is sold they begin to
fertiize and prepare the land for an
other big crop Of onions. The onions
grown In the coast country are shipped
to northern market. No attempt is made
at keeping them. Further information
regarding the onion and other crops of
the coast country will be given upon
application Some information to har-
vesting and keeping onions may be given.
Nearly all crops of onions EXCEPT those
grown from the seed are sold green, or
as soon as matured so / will only men,
ton In this connection the crop grown
from seed which are intended for winter
use. When the tops begin to turn yellow
and begin TO foil over the crop should
be pulled and placed In wind rows, plac-
Ing six rows in one wind row. The crop
should be pulled only when dry The
onions should never he allowed 10 become
dead ripe before pulling. for after they
have fully matured. II we should have
hot showery weather, this will start
second growth and onions that ever
start second growth will not keep. II
is always best to pull the crop before
the plants are fully ripe or just before
they cease growing. After they have laid
In the wind row for several days and
become fully dry. they should be taken
up and removed to some dry open shed
where they should be spread out on
shelves In single LAYERS and left until
the approach Of cold weather or until
wanted for market The tops should
never be cut off until marketed as this
let's the cir into the bulbs which will
Cause them to rot.
I find a good plan for keeping onions
is to crate them on approach OF cold
weather. in open crates similar to berry
box crates These can be stored In a
dry cellar or cave or they may be stored
In some building and covered with
hay or straw.
AS a rule, however. I find II the safest
and best plan to sell the crop as soon
as harvested, for 1t is often a risky
business and always lot of work to
carry onions over. If prices will pay a
profit on producing the crop, II Is best
to sell at harvest time.
Varieties.
There are many good varieties of onions
to make selections from. Some of these
are suitable for all sections. In grow
ing large onions from seed, the Weathers-
field has been regarded as one OF the best.
The Southport Red Globe is also a very
fine sort. or the yellow sorts, Yellow
Globe Danyers, Michigan yellow Globe
and the Prize Taker are the best sorts.
OK the white varieties, the White Globe
Is the best
The grower should be governed in this
according to the demand of the market
he is growing for. Some markets prefer
the red. while others want yellow or
white varieties My choice of varieties is
the Southport Red Globe for red the
Prize Taker for yellow and the large
Southport White Globe for wheat
Profits.
This has been referred to before, and
like all other crops, depends upon how
well il has been managed. The proftd
range from $50 to sGo0 per acre.
SIens.