CHAP. VI.] LEEKS, SHALLOTS, ETC. 151 



fill up the cavity. The leek is a native of 

 Switzerland, and it was introduced before the 

 time of Elizabeth. 



Tlie Chive is a perennial plant, a native of 

 Britain, and it is propagated by dividing the 

 roots in spring- or autumn. 



Garlic is propagated by dividing the bulb 

 into what are called cloves, and planting them 

 in February or March. They are generally 

 put in drills, and hoed frequently as they con- 

 tinue to grow. When the leaves turn yellow, 

 which they will do about August, the bulbs 

 should be taken up, and what may not be 

 wanted for use should be reserved for planting 

 the following spring;. Garlic is a native of the 

 South of Europe, and was introduced before 

 the time of Henry VIII. 



The Shallot is a native of Palestine, and it 

 has been in cultivation in British gardens at 

 least as long as the garlic. It is very difficult 

 to grow, as it is apt to be attacked by a kind of 

 maggot; but it has been found to succeed, 

 planted in cup-shaped hollows, like the leek. 



All the onion tribe require a very rich, well- 

 drained, loamy soil; and they always succeed 

 best where they have abundance of manure, as 

 when the soil is poor they are liable to be 

 attacked by insects. In some places it is 

 customary to sow the onion tribe in drills, and 

 to strew soot along the drills to keep off the 

 fly, which is so destructive to them all ; but 

 mixing charcoal with the soil has all the bene- 

 ficial effects of soot, and it has the advantage 

 of being more nutritious to the plant. 



Salad Plants. — These are very numerous. 



