THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 103 



ground is frozen, a few should be taken up in time and stored in 

 earth, to be handy for use. But as they soon deteriorate when 

 removed from the ground, it would be imprudent at any time to 

 take up many. 



Leek Bulbs are unknown, but any one who is partial to the 

 flavour of this fine vegetable may be recommended to grow leek 

 bulbs. When left in the ground the leek runs to seed the second 

 season ; if bulbs are wanted the growth of seed must not be allowed. 

 As fast as the pointed flower-stems rise cut them off; not one must 

 be developed, and it is well if they are pinched out as soon as they 

 are visible. The plant being unable to produce seed, will produce 

 bulbs instead. They are of the same shape and size as a large tulip 

 bulb, and of a silvery white colour. The withering of the leaves is 

 the sign for removing them. When stewed in gravy and served 

 hot with butter, these bulbs make one of the most delicious bon- 

 houclies imaginable. How and when the leek became the badge of 

 the Welsh is unknown, but it appears to be generally agreed that 

 its use as a symbol dates from Druidic times, and that it represents 

 Cuedven, the British Ceres. The association of the leek with the 

 memory of St. David is understood to date from a victory gained by 

 the Welsh in one of their many conflicts with the Saxons, when, 

 under the advice of St. David, they wore their ancient badge. One 

 of their poets sings : — 



" I love the leek above all lierbs and flowers ; 

 "When first we wore the leek the field was ours ; . 

 The leek is white and green, whereby is meant 

 That Britons are both stout and eminent : 

 West to the lion and the unicorn, 

 The leek's the fairest emblem that is worn." 



The Shallot. — There are two sorts of shallots, the red and the 

 white, the last named being not white, but straw-yellow. The red 

 is the best for keeping. To grow shallots is so easy a matter that a 

 very few words on the subject will suflice. They should be well 

 grown, or not grown at all, for small shallots are such a plague to 

 the cook, that a considerable proportion are likely to be wasted ; 

 therefore let the ground be well dug and liberally manured some 

 time in advance of the planting. On warm dry soils the bulbs may 

 be planted in October and November; but on damp cold soils 

 March and April are the times to plant. The warmer the climate 

 the finer the growth, but a rich soil will in any case tell with effect 

 upon them. The best way of managing, if a large supply is required, 

 ia to mark out the ground into four-feet beds, throwing the earth 

 from the alleys over the beds, and finishing the latter in a nice 

 workmanlike way to a neatly-rounded surface. This will throw oft" 

 water, and catch more than an average of sunshine, and very much 

 advantage the crop. 



The bulbs must be divided into separate cloves in planting. 

 The rows may be nine to twelve inches apart, according to the 

 strength of the ground, but, as a rule, nine inches will be the right 

 measure, and the cloves may be six inches apart in the rows. Put 



April 



