(100 days) 1887. Introduced by David Murray, gardener for the Marquis of Ailsa. This onion is huge, often used as an exhibition onion, and is best eaten fresh. Bulbs are large and round (up to 3 lbs) with pale, straw-coloured skin and a mild, sweet taste.

NEW FOR 2008! (100 days) Introduced in North America from Australia in 1894, this onion won rave reviews from seed catalogues of the time. They praised its sturdiness, solidness, round shape, bright white, mild flesh and, above all, its keeping ability. Was considered one of the best storage onions of the day.

SORRY, SOLD OUT FOR 2008. (110 – 115 days) 1800. This strong-flavoured onion has dark red skin and attractive pale pink flesh with red circles.

(100 – 110 days) Brought to Walla Walla, Washington at the turn of the century from Corsica, this Spanish onion is large & sweet, with light brown skin, and mild, sweet flesh. Not a storage onion.