VEGETABLES IN TRENCHES 67 



and thus treated, plants often throw off the attacks. Soap-suds 

 (not carbolic) scattered over the foliage is also said to be effective. 



LEEKS (Allium porrum). This splendid vegetable is not 

 appreciated half as much as it deserves to be, nor is it grown on 

 a fair scale in our gardens ; although it is a winter vegetable of 

 utmost utility, requiring but a fair amount of care and labour 

 to produce. It may be described as essentially a trench subject, 

 on account of its affinity for copious supplies of nutritious 

 moisture ; yet it can be, and is, grown successfully upon the 

 level ground, providing attention to the provision of water is 

 given. Where the latter essential is difficult to ensure, trench- 

 culture will be found the best plan. 



The most difficult point, with most amateurs especially, is 

 raising the young plants. Glass of some sort is necessary to 

 obtain plants in good time, and so is heat. To those who possess 

 both, the only instructions required to be given are that the 

 seed must be sown early in the year, after the manner of Celery, 

 in a fair temperature, and the young plants pricked out, to 

 strengthen, under glass, or on a warm border of rich soil outdoors, 

 where they remain until planting-out time. On the other hand, 

 small but very useful specimens may be obtained by sowing 

 the seed on a sheltered border as soon as the weather becomes 

 warm enough, without the aid of glass or artificial heat. Hand- 

 lights, frames, or pieces of glass may be utilized also. 



Large Leeks are obtained by growing them in trenches filled 

 with very rich soil, but extra large specimens are not nearly 

 so useful as those of medium size. In ordinary seasons these 

 will be forthcoming if good plants are dibbled out nine inches 

 to a foot apart, on well-manured ground ; but in light soils it 

 will be a decided advantage to plant in shallow trenches, drawn 

 out with the hoe. Leeks revel in plenty of moisture, both at 

 the roots and overhead ; therefore in dry weather do not neglect 

 to use the watering-pot pretty freely. As soon as the plants 

 get well hold of the soil, the can should contain liquid manure 

 made from horse or cow manure, which is in itself sufficient 

 to grow Leeks of large size ; but growth will be more rapid, 

 if sulphate of ammonia or nitrate of soda, at the rate of half 

 an ounce to a gallon of liquid, is given once a fortnight. 



To render Leeks fit for table use, thorough blanching is 

 necessary. This is accomplished by drawing the earth up close 

 to the stems ; and therein lies another advantage of trench- 

 culture, which facilitates the operation, whereas those on level 



