Vegeculture. How to grow vegetables, salads, and herbs in town and country by Day Harry A

Author:Day, Harry A
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Vegetables
Publisher: London, Methuen & co., ltd

more healthy the top-growth and the more vigorous the root-action, the greater certainty is there of a large collection of nutriment, with the consequent enlargement of the bulb.

But there comes a point in this procedure in which the Onion will seriously turn its attention to the great object of its existence —the production of seed for perpetuation; and unless this be stopped, the bulb will be spoilt, for all the store of richness therein is commandeered for reproduction purposes. This sudden perversion of food elements must be checked from above—not below. This is usually accomplished by bending over (not breaking!) the Onion stem about two inches from the bulb towards the ground. But let there be no indiscriminate action ; this drastic procedure should never be carried out where signs of running to seed are not apparent. Retain all foliage as long as possible—that applies always and everywhere in plant-life. Premature destruction of the growth of foliage invariably induces the bulb to stop growing, and to consolidate and ripen instead.

Root-action, however, should never be checked or neglected at any time, and certainly not during that period when the bulb is drastically deprived of the support afforded by its foliage.

When the necks pf the Onions begin to shrink and the root-hold upon the ground is loosened, the bulbs have reached maturity, and all showing these signs may be removed from the bed, leaving the others to complete their growth; for if the ripe ones are allowed to remain in the ground, they may commence fresh growth, certainly if rain intervenes, and be irremediably spoilt. They are, after removal, spread out in the sun to dry, turned frequently, and taken under shelter at nights. When both foliage and roots have completely withered, the bulbs are ready for storage in a dry place. Care must be taken not to bruise the bulbs in any way, removing all soil, and any part that would tend to decay. They should be disposed thinly in the store, or hung in ropes or bunches, and carefully looked over occasionally to remove any affected ones. To preserve a number for very late use, a hot iron may be used to cauterize the roots and necks, care being taken not to burn the bulb.

The maggot is the Onion's chief enemy, so far as insects are concerned. This is very prevalent in light soils. The Onions, when young, begin to turn yellow, as the first sign of the presence of the maggots, the foliage droops, and the plant soon dies, or becomes worthless, Trenching, autumn sowing, and the

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.