Edgefield Advertiser

BERMUDA ONION FIELD IN TEXAS.

(Prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture.)

Promise of a heavier crop of seed of the expensive wax or white Bermuda onion in the Canary islands, where practically the entire supply of onion seed for use in this country is grown, has been reported by United States consular agents in the islands. At the time the report was made, a month in advance of harvest, the crop of seed of the yellow or Canary onion, had suffered greatly because of drought and showed a loss estimated at from 40 to 50 per cent. The red onion seed crop also had suffered but to a less extent than the yellow. The crop of Canary island onion seed of all varieties for 1915 practically was exhausted, it is declared, and farmers therefore will run less risk of receiving seed in which old stock has been mixed. It is suggested, however, that American buyers should be careful to deal with firms known to be reliable. Factors in determining the price of onion seed this season, it was stated, in addition to the condition of the crop already mentioned, include a decrease in the demand from Argentina and Cuba and an increase in freight rates. The seed will probably reach the United States over freight routes somewhat different from those made use of in the past. Delays in trans-shipment by way of England last year have led to abandonment of that route to a considerable extent. The bulk of the crop, it is thought, will be routed by way of Porto Rico to New Orleans or via Havana to New York. Altogether it seemed probable at the time the report was made that the cost of Bermuda onion seed in America should be somewhat lower this year.