Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-06-15
STATE HOUSE
Continued from Page Eleven


Three or four weeks after the seeds are
planted the onions will begin to snow IN
the row. This is the particular time it is
necessary to use the wheel noe that strao-
dies the row with a hoe on each side and
cuts the ground close up to the little
plants After ground has lain unculu-
waited for month it badly needs stirring.
Do not neglect it at this time, if you eX-
pect to continue with this piece of ground
throughout the season.
After the patch has been hoed between
the rows with this wheel hoe. it is neces-
sary to freshen the dirt close up around
the plant with some kind of tool that can
be worked. This does not mean an or
binary hand hoe, or even trowel II
means some of the garden implements,
like a little scraper, or rake, or even a
big iron spoon, that can be easily held IN
one hand This particular part of the
business requires one to work upon their
knees. and whoever does not expect to
work on their knees had not better at
tempt to raise onions. Very much de-
ponds on this working. II a single weed
is allowed to stand at this cultivation,
with ground as rich and as well-tilled as
begin to take moisture that the onion
crop itself needs badly and when finally
removed WILL perhaps, tear out several
onions on each side Of it with the dirt
that comes up at the time of its removal.
After the first cultivation do not allow
more than one week to elapse before the
wheel hoe is run through the plot again.
1t is preferable to have 1t run oftener. II
possible. The hand work which is done
upon the knees need not be done oftener
than once in two weeks. 1t Is impera-
tive, however, through the months of
June July and the first part of August.
If this ground is to be re-sown with
onions it is desirable to see that no weed
] goes to seed on the ground for the entire
season. Whoever is attempting to prac-
tice clean culture will see that no weed
goes to seed on the ground, whether this
particular piece of ground is to be re-
planted the next year or not. There is no
excuse or apology for any weeds going
to seed upon a titled field. AS soon as
this principle becomes established IN the
minds of any man who cultivates the soil
his work is very largely reduced.
AS the season advances If the crop Is
not growing satisfactorily. it may be de-
sirable to add 25 pounds of nitrate OF
soda to the plot, spread broadcast. Some
times 1t is desirable to add acid phos-
phate, but usually this element Is not as
badly needed in the soil as the nitrogen
of the nitrate of soda. The crop ought
to be pretty well matured by the first OF
September, with large bottoms and small
necks.
AS the time approac hes for the harvest
Of these onions. if the tops do not shrivel
and dry down, lay down barrel and roll
over them bending them down. They will
then begin to die and dry up.
If these onions are to be stored It IS
necessary. ultimately. for them to be
pulled-care being taken not to bruise
them-and to leave them in the sun until
the tops and roots become thoroughly
dried and crisped so that they can easily
be removed by twisting.
The care Of the crop, after it is har-
vested, will depend upon the taste Of each
individual harvester. If room is avail
able that is frostproof tla tops with the
onions still on them may be braided in
long braids and hung over poles sus-
pended from the top Of the room. 1t Is
necessary, however, that they be kept in
a dry, well-ventilated room that is cool
and frost-proof. Anyone situated that
they can handle few bushels of onions
in this way are pretty we'll assured that
later in the season a good price will be
paid for them
1t is not consistent to attempt to keep
them in damp wet cellar. 1t is not de-
n lea ;,,o oil t.
sometimes, however is possible to keep
them with some degree of satisfaction in
cellars where a furnace is run If not too
warm. If, however, they become too
warm they will start to sprout
For small patch Of onions that 1
have described it may be thought that
some substitute may be used for wheel
hoes. Wheel hoes are not expensive. No
satisfactory substitute in the shape of
hand tool can be used for wheelhoe.
Diseases.
Sometimes 1t Is a great satisfaction to
know that crop is beset with diseases,
pests and disadvantages. If it would af-
ford anyone pleasure l would suggest
that at times l have found that the
onions, through the latter part Of June
and the first Of July, are infested with
little maggot which frequently kills quite
a good many plants. and I have seen
fields that have not been repeatedly plant
ed to onions.
have noticed that skillful onion grow
ers plant in the vicinity of their onion
bed few rows of radishes. In fact. they
frequently surround a bed with a row or
two Of radishes, claiming that the same
moth that lays the maggot in the onion
lays the egg for the radish moth and that
they prefer the radishes to the onions;
and, while the radishes become badly
maggoted. the onions are relieved. Then
the radishes are pulled up and destroyed
and the onions are saved. I have tried
this myself and think that 1t Is a safe
thing to do.
Another trouble frequently with onions
is that they grow scallions, which means
that they refuse to bottom, or rather
that they grow large necks for their bot