Leeks. 217 



The seedlings which are to be transplanted may be set out 

 according to one of the following methods : 



In well manured ground make drills 12in. apart and Gin. deep, 

 and set the plants in these, Sin. apart, Frequent hoeing, which 

 is very important, gradually fills the drills, and as growth nears 

 completion the earth is drawn up to the neck of the plants on 

 each side. This method may be varied by giving 18in. space 

 between the rows and intercropping with lettuces. 



Another plan is to thoroughly manure and dig the ground 

 and then to make holes at the required distance apart with a 

 blunt dibber, about 2in. through and 9in. long. The plants 

 are dropped to the bottom of the holes and sufficient loose soil 

 is pushed in to just cover the roots. During the course of 

 cultivation the holes become filled, and the earth is finally 

 drawn to the sides of the rows to complete bleaching. 

 By far the finest specimens are grown in trenches formed as 

 for celery, but only the width of the spade and about 2ft. from 

 centre to centre. About Gin. of well-rotted manure is put at 

 the bottom of the trench and dug in, so that when finished the 

 trench is Gin. below the ordinary level. The plants are set at 

 lOin. to 12in. apart, according to the vigour of the variety. 

 A catch-crop is grown on the soil between the trenches. By 

 frequent hoeing weeds are kept down and the trench is gradu- 

 ally filled with earth, cultivation being completed by earthing 

 up the plants to the base of the leaves. 



In every case transplanting should be done in showery 

 weather when possible, and whatever the system of growing 

 adopted, the plants must be supplied abundantly with moisture, 

 especially during dry weather. Liquid manure applied once a 

 week adds considerably to their size and quality. They can be 

 left standing without protection, to be lifted as required, or if 

 the ground is wanted they will keep for a month or more stored 

 in dry sand. 



Manures : Decayed natural manure is the best fertilizer for 

 Leeks, but when it is scarce a moderate dressing can be pro- 

 fitably supplemented by loz. superphosphate and ioz. sulphate 

 of potash per yard run of row. 



Varieties: London Flag, Musselburgh, Renton's Monarch, 

 and The Lyon. 



