148 Subtropical Vegetable-Gardening 



should be taken up carefully and transplanted to the field. 

 In taking up leeks, it is a good practice to run a spade 

 under the row and lift the plants ; then, as the soil separates, 

 they will be removed without injury. If the leaves happen 

 to be long, cut them back a third. 



The soil should be a strong loam ; if a clayey loam, it 

 must have good drainage. The land should be fertilized 

 heavily, and plowed thoroughly, but not deeply. Before 

 plowing, all rubbish should have been removed from 

 the ground. The soil should be pulverized well, and the 

 rows laid off 18 inches or 2 feet apart, and the plants set 

 6 inches or a foot apart in the row. 



The fertilizer material prepared for onions will also be 

 good for this crop. Leeks can stand more nitrogenous 

 matter and grow more slowly, hence it is advisable to use 

 more nitrogen and to use it in a form that will not dissipate 

 readily ; such materials as barnyard manure and compost 

 are better than the commercial forms. If commercial 

 fertilizers are relied upon, it will be better to make several 

 applications. 



Transplanting may be done during any moist time; 

 usually watering is not necessary; in other respects, the 

 manipulation of transplanting is like that of onions. The 

 plants are set 3 to 6 inches deep. They may be blanched 

 by earthing up or boarding. 



In preparing for market, the plants are dug and the 

 outer dry leaves peeled off. If the shipment is for a near 

 market, the plants may be washed ; but if they will be four 

 or five days in transit, it is not advisable to use water 

 at all. They are tied in bunches of six or eight and packed 

 in crates. 



