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_.