On some land the onion runs to tops, particularly where there is too much moisture, or the ground is too new, or coarse manures have been used. If the tops are still rank and green in late August or early September, it is a good thing to break them by rolling a barrel over the rows, that the growth may go to the bulbs. The trouble with onions does not end with growing them. They are a difficult crop to handle and store, unless the fall is warm. After they are pulled they must dry a day or two, either in the field or under cover—cover is more expensive but the bulbs have a better, brighter color. The bulbs must be free from dirt and the tops cut off about a half-inch above the bulb, neither more nor less, else the bulb will suffer in marketable value. It must be a clean cut without ragged ends, and the outer skin or covering must not be broken. If the crop is uneven in size, as is quite apt to be the case, sort them over, because one misshapen or under-sized onion in a dozen, will materially lessen the price received for the crop. There are so many good vegetables on the market today, that the consumer is growing finicky, and wants only the best looking as well as the best tasting. Be careful to give him what he wants, and he will give you what you want—good prices—in return. The sorter may be a very simple contrivance, consisting of a rack or trough with a slat bottom through which small onions will drop. When raised to a convenient height on a slant it is easy to work the bigger onions over the end of the rack into boxes or baskets below. Most farmers prefer to sell their onion crop in the fall, because it is difficult to house it. Mature onions will not stand freezing, unless they can be kept frozen all winter and allowed to thaw gradually in the spring. But this is a risky process and often results in heavy loss. They need a steady warm temperature, and many store houses are heated to ensure safety from frost. It takes an ounce of onion seed for 150 feet of drill, or from 3½ to 5 pounds to the acre. A good crop for an average farmer is from 300 to 400 bushels per acre, but an average crop for a good farmer is 600 to 800 bushels per acre; and some have grown as high as 1100 bushels to the acre. You can choose your own class. The root maggot is the worst enemy the onion has, and there is no really successful method of fighting it. Infested land should be used for other crops that the root maggot will not feed upon, until he is starved out. Rust and smut which also affect onions, may be practically cut out, or at least held in check, by the use of Bordeaux mixture, but rotation is the best remedy for smut. CHAPTER XVI. COLE CROPS.