CHAP. XVIII VILLA GARDEXING 471 



poor it is a good plan to open trenches about the width of the 

 spade, and a foot deep, placing in the bottom a good layer of 

 thoroughly-decayed manure ; mix it up with the earth, and plant 

 the Leeks along the centre of the trench. The rows should be 

 from 18 inches to 2 feet apart. As they advance a little in growth 

 a small portion of the soil from the sides of the trenches may be 

 broken down at intervals to enclose the stems, for the purpose of 

 blanching them, as first-class Leeks should have the whiteness of 

 ivory, and at tlie same time be firm and compact, and possess great 

 length and size of stem. 



Liquid Manure may, with advantage, be given during the 

 growing season in dry weather until the final earthing has been 

 given. When planted on the surface, the earth to blanch with 

 will be taken from between the rows with a hoe ; but when planted 

 in trenches the plants will be deeper in the land, and the earth 

 taken out of the trenches will be used for lilanching. Leeks are 

 always ready for use when well blanched, whether full grown or 

 not ; and until they push up their flower stems in spring they 

 retain their condition. In winter, just before severe frost sets in, 

 a few dozens shoidd be lifted, and laid in closely together where 

 they can be sheltered, and at the same time easily readied. 



Varieties. — The Lyon and Ayton Castle Giant for exhibition ; 

 the Musselburgh is a good hardy Leek for general culture. 



Shallots. — In the majority of situations these are best planted 

 in February, or early in March. Select an open position, where 

 the land has been manured and deeply worked in -winter, and the 

 sm'face ridged up roughly to expose and sweeten it. A fortnight 

 before planting fork the ridges down, and leave the surfiice to dry 

 and become pulverised. Plant when the ground is dry, treading 

 it once over to firm it ; then rake smooth, and plant in rows by 

 pi'essing the bulblets into the ground, leaving the neck and upper 

 part of the bulb exposed. The rows should be 12 inches apart, 

 and the bulbs G inches apart in the rows. It is a good plan to 

 prepare a heap of compost in the general clearing-up of the compost 

 yard for covering seeds, or anything which may require such help. 

 It may consist of the charred heap of refuse, mixed with the old 

 potting soil, and a little old manure. This is all blended together, 

 protected from heavy rains, and passed through a ^--inch sieve, to 

 take out all bits of unburnt wood, stones, etc. In the case of the 

 Shallots a handful is placed over each bulb, forming at first a 

 slight mound. It helps to fasten the bulbs in the ground by its 

 weight, and by the time the young green shoots break through it 

 is crumbling away, and gradually settles down, forming an excellent 

 and nourishing mulcli round the cluster of bulbs, adding much to 



