Cultural Directions. — 247 



planted at the same time, in early spring, the one will supply you 

 with tender balls in the forepart, and the other in the latter part 

 of the season. 



LAVENDER. 



Lavandula Spica. German, Lavendel ; French, Lavande ; 

 Spanish, Esplicgo. — Lavender leaves are sometimes used for 

 seasoning, but the chief value of the plant is in its flowers, which 

 are used in the manufacture of the well-known perfumery. 

 .Grows in compact tufts with numerous stalks two feet high. 

 Perennial, and generally propagated by division of the tufts, 

 sometimes by cuttings, and in rarer cases from seed. Set the 

 plants 15 or 18 inches apart, and keep free from weeds. They 

 will last a number of years, succeeding best in light calcareous 

 soil. 



LEEK. 



Allium Porriiin. German, Lauch ; French, Poireau ; 

 Spanish, Puerro. — Leek, although but rarely found in American 

 home gardens, is quite extensively cultivated as a second crop, 

 to follow early beets, cabbages, etc., in the market gardens near 

 cities having a large for- 

 eign population. The 

 ground should be rich 

 from previous manurings, 

 and receive an additional 

 dressing besides. 



Cultivation. — In April 

 or early May sow seed in 

 seed bed, having rows one 

 foot apart, and cultivating 

 same as onions from seed. 

 In July, the young plants, 

 then about as thick as a 

 goose quill, are planted 

 out on soil cleared from 

 the earlier crop and well 

 prepared, in rows one foot 

 apart, with five inches distance between the plants. They should 

 be set deeply (with a dibber) since their market value depends 

 on the bleached condition of the root and stalk. For the same 

 reason, the soil, in hoeing, is drawn up towards them. . Leeks 

 transplant very easily at any time while the soil is moist, but the 

 loose roots and leaves should be trimmed back, and the roots 

 dipped in water, previous to setting. 



Giant Italian Leek. 



