LEEKS 141 



until about the end of February or early in March. 

 The young Leeks are then fit for pricking out into 

 another fairly good hot-bed. Only the very best 

 plants are selected, and these may have the roots 

 and the leaves cut back in the same way as recom- 

 mended for Spring Onions (see p. 186). A space of 

 3 or 4 in. is left between the little Leeks, and care 

 is taken to bury them deeply leaving only an inch 

 or two showing above the surface, because deep 

 planting means beautiful white stems later on. A 

 good soaking is given, and no air is admitted for a 

 few days until the plants have recovered. Afterwards 

 air is given more or less freely on all favourable occa- 

 sions, and the Leeks will be ready early in June. 



From the same seed-bed Leeks may also be planted 

 early in March on warm, sheltered borders in the 

 open air, after cutting the roots and tops, and they 

 will succeed those planted in the frames. They should 

 be kept nicely watered in dry weather to keep the 

 growth active. 



Open-air Culture. The soil for Leeks in the open 

 air cannot be too rich and deep to secure the best 

 results. Seeds may be sown at four different periods 

 to keep up a succession, namely, (i) in February or 

 March sow " Gros Court " or " Jaune du Poitou " to 

 yield Leeks in August and September ; (ii) in April 

 and May sow " Rouen " to yield from October on- 

 wards ; (iii) in July sow " Long Winter Paris " to 

 yield at the end of winter and early spring ; and (iv) 

 sow the same variety in the first half of September to 

 yield in April and May and June the following year. 



In all cases except the September sowing the 

 seeds should be sown thickly, as the plants are thus 



