LEEK. 115 



LEEK. 



This vegetable has not been grown in the South for 

 distant markets, though it stands shipping well. 

 There has not been a demand for it excepting when 

 the Northern markets supplied it. Tf people know 

 that a certain vegetable is not in the market, they will 

 not demand it, but as soon as this shall be supplied 

 there will be a market for it. 



The soil should bo a strong loam ; if it happens to 

 be a clayey loam, it must have good drainage. Fer- 

 tilize heavily, and plow thoroughly, but not deeply. 

 Before plowing, all rubbish should have been removed 

 from the ground. Pulverize the soil well, and lay off 

 in rows eighteen inches or two feet apart, and set the 

 plants six inches or a foot apart in the row. 



During September, or early in October, prepare a 

 cold frame to receive the seed. Care should be exer- 

 cised not to allow the soil in the cold frame to become 

 dry, as tlie seed may fail under such treatment. Keep 

 the weeds down, and if the days become unusually 

 warm, protect the seedlings. When the plants are 

 large enough to handle easily, they should be taken 

 up carefully and transplanted to the field. In taking 

 up leek, it is a good practice to run a spade under the 

 row and lift the plants ; then, as the soil separates, 

 they will be removed without injury. If the leaves 

 happen to be long, cut them back a third. 



Transplanting may be done during any moist time ; 

 usually, watering is not necessary; in other respects, the 

 manipulation of transplanting is like that of onions. 



In preparing for market, dig the plants and peel off 

 the outer dry leaves. If the shipment is for a near 

 market, the plants may be washed, but if they will be 

 four or five days in transit, it is not advisable to use 



