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BY JAMES CAftiTR & CO.

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BY JAMES CAftiTR & CO. GARDENING JSOXJUS. TEE ONION. I The Onion is one of the most important of garden crops, and though possessing such a strong and piquant flavour it takes a leading place in the mysteries of cooking. Being of Bub-tropical origin it ch.en fails to succeed in cold and heavy soils, but under congenial con- ditions it is generally a success. We will suppose that the amateur has procured goca seed, and that his ground, which had been manured and ridged in autumn, and during winter it will undergo the changes of weather usual at that season; it will then be fit to re- ceive the seed towards tiie end of Feoruary, or beginning of March, provided it be suffi- ciently dry, for when the weather seems un- likely to permit of the ground to be trampled I over without consolidating the moss into that state, it must not be trod upon at all; but the plot, instead of being sowi, in continuous rr may be divided into beds of about 36 feet each. with 15 inch alleys and the crop then sown broadcast. 1 uik plan. however. need net be adopted when access to the ground can be had without injury; for we prefer sownc; in rows about 9 inches apart, as the crop is easier and better managed during the summer, and the produce for a given space of ground is generally larger. Shallow drills drawn by a hoe is best. which cover up when sown; and do not be too particular and exact in the rak- ing provided the seed be only covered, as that is the principal thing. The smooth nicety with which the ground is sometimes dressed is often detrimental to the crop. The rains which may intervene before tue young plants make their appearance, flatten the surface no much that it presents a very unkind medium for them to vegetate in, while it cannot be stirred until the plants show themselves. On lieavy soils it is recommended to apply a mix- ture of soot and wood ashes, or charcoal. scattering it amongst the soil the Onions are sown in, more especially the tcp part. This important addition prevents ground from caking into a solid mass, which a stiff soil is prone to do when soddening rains are followed by dry weather. It has other good proper- ties as well. such as checking the ravages of the Onion fly. TO GROW A GOOD CROP of useful Onions, it is necessary to nave a piece of ground that has been liberally manured and deeply tilled new, rank manure, is not advisable, neitner is an excess necessary. If immense bulbs are aimed at it can hardly have too much manure, and when growing, manure-water ought to be given liberally but large Onions are not profitable, nor do they keep well; the crop that pays best is one of middling sized bulbs, well ripened in the sun. For all ordinary purposes, two sowings ot Onions are sufficient; one to remain for bulb- ing, but to be thinned when young, and the thinnings used for salads and another to fol- low, to be entirely used while young, and dur- ing the heat of summer, when salais are most sought after. The first essential to a crop of On'^n.% is good seeds; we, therefore, strongly advise '.nt' amateur to procure his seed from sour., reliable source. It is likely that he will have to pay a little more for it on that account, out this will be repaid him in the superior mp le will have, if other things be equally favv.iaMe • and we take this opportunity of saving that we are no advocate for "cheap reeds, in the general sense in which thnt term i; under- stood. Seeds ,to be genuine ard good, can- not always be grown eher.p and that ruinous competition in the trade, coupled with a sort of gullibility en the part of buyers, has led to various things being offered for sale at prices lower than those they ran be r-o-vn for in ? legitimate way; and though Onion sec-1'l. as a whole, mav be more pure than 7'(yd: vpt it is well-known the produce depends, in a- great measure, on the ^ced. j AS TO THTVNT-V Tf the soil is thoroughly good, thev nop,- left rfetty thiek in the rows. p-n tW w'l 111] swell to a good rceM size and a dO?pn bulbs as large as tennis bail" ,-p more ir-ofitatilp than a few »s big rt" Wba'ls. Therefor", though a moderate tninnine i" snd the voun? one3 are vp-v rwfil (1' s?^dm- prrposes. t}. be 1,,1¡- if t>>« pnltn-p i" all T7«rM. i" importa-t than thinner. This mwt doie wen ,vil for as the cp«n~s do rot spread over the ground to cho.;e L.e i.ee-ds, -i the latter Tiave it all their own way. As soon as a little greeD sprinkling of weeds appear, I take i*n old table-fork—for there is nothing better — and lift out every weed but do not hoe between, or resort to any vigorous mea- sures to fereak the soil below the surface. This weeding must be repeated as often as necessary, 'and the ground kept quite clean. A weekly dose of guano water, or even of weak salt and water, will much improve them, for j they like moisture, and must have enough of it. Remember this is one of the most profit- able crops grown, and hence deserves every I proper attention. Onions are very definite in tueir Irabit. When they have grown as much as they mean j to, they twist their own necks and expire quietly. The hot sunshine helps them, and as soon as this happens leave off watering. If there is a little inequality among them as to a disposition to ripen, bend down the necks of the greenest, giving the spears a slight twist, and that will help them into a seasonaole sleep. Do not take any up until the top is dry and nearly withered, and then separate the thick-necked or "bull-necked," as :.hey are called, from those that are thoroughly ripe and dry at the crown; the latter are to be stored, and the others to be used ss wanted. A second crop, to be drawn young, may be sown in April; and if demands need it, sow- ings be repeated from this time to August, when a crop to stand the winter may be got in, on a warm slope, and for these the soil need not be quite so rich. To grow Onions for pickling, the poorest and driest piece of ground should be chosen. The sort mostly used is the Silver-skin, sown very thick, and after sowing watered once or twice with liquid guano. This will give them a start, and after that they should have neither liquid manure nor any other special nourishment, and they should be but sparing- ly thinned. If sown in March they will be ripo early in July, and a small bed will fur- nish an immense number of snail nea shaped bubs or pickling. Trim them up, put them in salt and water for a dav, and then drain them, and Dut them in strong vinegdr that has been boiled with plenty of spices. ONIONS, FOR EXHIBITION. It is not generally undei stood by amateurs that to grow onions such as are seen at the various autumn shows takes a much longer time than ordinary sized ones, and to be a successful exhibitor the bulbs must be *v"il proportioned, that is, not thick-necked or shaped in any way. To grow bulbs of this class the seed must be sown early and pro- tected till it is safe to put the young plants outdoors. Seed may be sown in February, either on a slight hotbed or in shallow boxes, but whichever plan is selected, there must always be a gentle warmth to ensure germina- tion. Keep near the light and when tue plants are large enough to handle transplant them into boxes and place on a slight hot- bed till new roots have formed, or they may be planted on the hotbed at once. Should the latter plan be adopted, great care must be taken or the heat may burn the rcots. If the young plants have been well looke i after, it will be safe to transplant to the open ground by the middle of April. Previous to this, however, they must be hardened off, -1 oftentimes a sharp frost occurs, which wou..I cripple them unless previously exposed. With some, preparing the ground is no aasy task, for where fhe mould is shallow, with a gravel subsoil, the roots are not able to get down, it is almost impossible to grow large Onions. When ground is of this character add soil to the surface to increase the depth I instead of trenching. But whether the ground be trenched or made deeper by adding, always place a third layer of old. well-deny rl manure at the bottom for the roots to feed on during dry weather. There is far more art in preparing ground for this crop than is usually imagined, and unless this be thoroughly done, it will be a difficult matter to grow large bulbs. The heaviest bulb we ever saw weighed 4- pounds, and the variety is knov.'n under the name of "Record." Note.-—If enquirers on anv gardening mat- ter will furnish their address when writ- ing for information, we will gladly reply fully through the post without any cost to them. JAMES CARTfiR and CO., Royal Seedsmen, Hish Hoi'-orn. LONDON, W.C

MADOC MIDGETS PORTRAITS.

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