100 VEGETABLE GARDENING. 



and liberally manured. Like the onion, this crop 

 thrives best in soil containing an abundance of 

 humus. The ground should be prepared and manured 

 on the same lines as advised for onions. 



Sowing and Planting. If early leeks are wanted, 

 for use in late summer, seed may be sown in boxes 

 under glass in February, or in a cold frame, and the 

 plants put out when strong enough, after being well 

 hardened ofi. The main-crop leeks for winter use 

 should be sown out of doors from the middle to the 

 end of March, in a well-prepared seed-bed ; sow in 

 shallow drills 8 inches apart. From the middle of 

 May to the end of June level the ground intended 

 for leeks, and draw drills 15 inches apart and about 

 3 inches deep ; plant in the bottoms of these drills, 

 using a dibber to make the holes. The plants should 

 be let in up to the base of the leaves, pressing a 

 little soil down on the roots but otherwise leaving 

 the holes open. From 6 to 8 inches is a good dis- 

 tance to allow between the plants. If the weather 

 is dry at the time, besides watering the seed-bed 

 before lifting the plants, puddle the roots in a thick 

 mixture of soil and water before planting. Hoe 

 regularly between the rows ; and as growth proceeds 

 the soil is gradually filled into the drills around the 

 plants, thus securing a greater length of blanched 

 stem. When ground is specially prepared for leeks 

 in winter, a crop of early carrots, spinach, or radishes 

 may be taken from it before it is wanted for planting, 

 sowing these in early spring. 



In order to economise ground, particularly in small 

 gardens and allotments, instead of reserving ground 

 for leeks, a good plan is to make these follow early 



