6 4 THE CULTURE OF VEGETABLES 



There may be three sowings of Leek made in the open ground 

 in February, March, and April, to insure a succession, and also to 

 make good any failures. But for most gardens one sowing about the 

 middle of March will be sufficient, as from this sowing it will be an 

 easy matter to secure an early supply, a main crop and a late crop, 

 for they may be transplanted from the seed-bed at a very early stage, 

 and successive thinnings will make several plantations, and finally, as 

 many may be left in the seed-bed to mature as will form a proper 

 plantation. 



The Leek will grow in any soil, and when no thicker than the 

 finger is useful ; indeed, in many places where the soil is poor and the 

 climate cold it is rarely seen of a larger size, but is, nevertheless, 

 greatly valued. A rich dry soil suits the plant well, and when 

 liberally grown it attains to a great size, and is very attractive, with its 

 silvery root and brilliant green top. The prudent course of ma- 

 nagement consists in thinning and planting as opportunities occur, 

 beginning as soon as the plants are six inches high, and putting them 

 in well-prepared ground, which should be thoroughly watered pre- 

 viously, unless already softened by rain. The distance must depend 

 on the nature of the ground and the wants of the cultivator. To 

 grow large Leeks in strong ground, they must be quite a foot apart, 

 but for a crop of small useful roots six inches will suffice. In 

 planting, first shorten the leaves a little (and very little), then drive 

 down the dibber, and put the plant in as deep as the base of the 

 leaves, and close in carefully without pressure. Water liberally, and 

 occasionally stir the ground between, and again cut off the tops of 

 the leaves, and the roots will grow to a large size. If the ground is 

 dangerously damp or pasty, make a bed for the crop with light rich 

 soil, and plant on the level and mould up as the growth advances. 

 On light land, however, it is advisable to grow them in trenches, 

 prepared as for Celery, but the Leeks need not be earthed up. The 

 largest and whitest should not be left to battle with storms, but 

 those left in the seed-bed will take no harm from winter weather, 

 and will be useful when the grandees are eaten up. The finest roots 

 that remain when winter sets in may be taken up in good time and 

 stored in dry sand, and will keep for at least a month. Any that 

 remain over in spring can be turned to account to supply a delicate 

 and comparatively unknown vegetable. As the flower stems rise nip 

 them out, not one should be left. The result of this practice will be 

 the formation on the roots of small roundish white bulbs, which make 

 an excellent dish when stewed in gravy, and may be used for any 



