140 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



Leeks to the excessively large specimens seen in 

 England. 



The varieties selected for early crops by the Parisian 

 gardeners are known as the " Rouen," the " Long Winter 

 Paris " (Long d'hiver de Paris), the " Large Yellow 

 Poitou " (Gros Jaune du Poitou), and the " Gros 

 Court " or " Ete," to which may be added the well- 

 known ' ' Lyon ' ' and ' ' Musselburgh ' ' varieties. Which- 

 ever variety is chosen, the main object in view is 

 to secure Leeks of medium size in the early days 

 of June. 



Seeds are sown thickly in the latter half of December 

 on a hot-bed about 15 in. deep and with a temperature 

 of 60 to 65 Fahr. To hasten germination, it is a 

 good plan to soak the seeds in luke-warm water for 

 about twelve hours more or less in advance. If the 

 primary root in the seed begins to show, it may be 

 taken for granted that the seeds have soaked long 

 enough. They should then be sown at once, on a 

 layer about 4 in. deep of rich gritty soil that has 

 been spread over the manure in the beds, and lightly 

 covered with gritty mould. Each day the soil should 

 be sprinkled with tepid water until the plants are 

 well above the surface. At this stage a little air 

 may be given by tilting the lights on all fine days, 

 but care must be taken not to subject the seedlings 

 to cold draughts of air, as these cause a chill and 

 consequent stagnation of growth. At night it will 

 be found more or less necessary to spread a mat or 

 two over the lights according to the weather, but 

 such coverings must be taken off as early as possible 

 the morning following. 



This treatment is kept up with occasional waterings 



