GROWING ONION SETS.

While the practice of growing onions directly from seed is becoming more extended all over the country, still the time will never come probably when the old-time practice of growing the crop from sets will be done away with, especially in the South. With the constantly increasing acreage devoted to this splendid esculent it is quite likely more onion sets will be raised and planted ten years hence than there is at this time. Southern truckers and market gardeners, along with those who only grow simply for home use, will continue to use sets for growing the first crop which is used or marketed in a green or unmatured state. Thousands of acres are yearly planted in the South, putting out the sets anywhere from September to November, both inclusive. Most any “tyro” in gardening can grow a crop of onions from the sets where only failure would result if the seeds were used. There is hardly anything surer than making “sets” grow, whereas it is not always sure that one gets onion seeds that are good and of such a variety as will make a good crop in our Southern climate. So much by way of preface.

The Southern gardeners and truckers depend almost entirely upon the Middle and Northern States for their onion sets, although it is quite practicable for them to raise their own sets if they choose to do it. The Southern trucker it seems as a rule, however, would prefer to have others grow his sets for him. This is all very well when he can buy them at $1.50 to $2.50 a bushel, but oftentimes he has to pay twice this sum for his sets, occasionally three times. There is an advantage in the trucker growing his own sets. He can grow just the variety that better suits our climate, sets of which he cannot always get with any certainty. The several varieties of Italian or Spanish onions are far preferable for the South—kinds like the New Queen, Rocca, Early Nocera and some others, these do much better than the American varieties.

How to raise the Sets.—There are two ways of growing—broadcast or in drills. The latter is to be preferred. For the purpose choose medium land, not very rich in humus or nitrogen, but as clean land as possible. Sowings can be made any time from February 15 to April 15. Plow the soil and harrow it and run a light roller over it. Lay off shallow drills fifteen to twenty inches apart. These shallow drills, not deeper than a quarter of an inch, should be one and a half or two inches wide. Just prior to sowing whiten these drills with landplaster. Using the freshest seed attainable, sow the seeds carefully along the drills at the rate of twelve to fifteen to the square inch. Cover lightly with a rake and then run a garden roller over the drills. If the seeds are good there will be a pretty show of onions in the course of ten days. Cultivate very shallow and just enough to keep down all weeds. Any weeds coming up in the drills must be hand-pulled.

When the small onions later on show signs of maturity go along and pull them and let them lie until well cured. Then take up and spread rather thinly in the coolest, dryest place possible. They can be spread out under any outhouse if safe from poultry, etc. If put in a loft, or where there is much light, spread a slight layer of straw over the sets. Do not wait until the onions die down before pulling, but pull just as soon as the tops show a little yellow. As remarked, these sets will be planted out again in September and October, and as late as November 15.

This is a brief statement of procedure. The directions followed, there will be no good reason for failure if the seeds are good.

S. A. Cook.

Milledgeville, Ga.

MUSIC
WITHOUT A TEACHER

(EUREKA METHOD.)

Winner’s “Eureka” Instruction books do for you just what a teacher would do. With the Winner Instruction Book for any instrument, you can learn to play any simple, easy piece of music on that instrument as quickly as by employing a teacher once a week.

You do not need to know anything about music, as these books teach all the rudiments, and explain the meaning of all musical terms. They are very simple and FULLY ILLUSTRATED.

Besides the instruction pages, each book contains nearly a hundred well-chosen pieces for that especial instrument. This alone would cost from $2.00 to $3.00 if purchased separately.

They are intended for pupils living at a distance from the music teacher, or those whose means will not enable them to employ one.

In ordering ask for Winner’s “Eureka” Method, and state for what instrument it is wanted. Any one of the volumes will be mailed, postpaid, on receipt of choice.

75 CENTS.

Oliver Ditson Company,
453-463 Washington St., Boston.

C. H. Ditson & Co., N. Y. J. E. Ditson & Co., Phila.

FREE A fine 14k gold plated watch to every reader of this paper. Cut this out and send it to us with your full name and address, and we will send you one of these elegant, richly jeweled, gold finished watches by express for examination, and if you think it is equal in appearance to any $25.00 gold watch pay our sample price, $3.50, and it is yours. We send with the watch our guarantee that you can return it at any time within one year if not satisfactory, and if you sell or cause the sale of six we will give you One Free. Write at once, as we shall send out samples for 60 days only. Address

THE NATIONAL M’F’G
& IMPORTING CO.,
334 Dearborn St., Chicago, Ill.

FAT FOLKS Reduced 15 lbs. a month; any one can make remedy at home. Miss M. Ainley, Supply, Ark., says: “I lost 60 lbs. and feel splendid.” No starving. No sickness. Particulars (sealed) 2 cts. HALL & CO., “A,” Box 404, St. Louis, Mo.

Don’t
Dye

Until you see the beautiful and fast colors made with “PERFECTION” Dyes. Sample cards showing new colors sent FREE. For 40c. we will send you 6 pkgs. of any colors you wish to try. Single pkg. 10c. Agents wanted. W. Cushing & Co., Box 24, Foxcroft, Me.