Leochilus 



L.EDUM. (LABRADOR TEA.) 



Hardy evergreen shrubs (ord. Ericaceae) that are 

 readily propagated by layers. They grow well in 

 peat and sand, and are very handsome when in 

 flower. Some species once included under Ledum 

 are now referred to Leiophyllum, which see. 



Principal Species and Varieties : 

 glandulosum, 2' to 6', Ap., canadense and globo- 



My., wh. sum are good vars. 



latifolium, 3', Ap., wh. palustre, 2 , My., wh. ; 



(ay ii. groenlandicum). decumbeus is a pros- 

 trate form. 



LEEA. 



Description. Dwarf stove shrubs (ord. Ampel- 

 idese), a few of which are remarkable for the 

 elegance of their pinnate leafage, and the charm- 

 ing arrangement of green, bronze, white, and red in 

 their foliage. The best species is amabilis. 



Propagation is effected by cuttings in sandy soil, 

 placed in a close propagating case. A gentle 

 bottom heat must be afforded, and though at all 

 times a moist atmosphere must be maintained, 

 great caution is necessary to prevent damping from 

 over watering. 



Soil. Rich loam, with leaf mould or peat, and 

 sand form a suitable compost. 



Principal Species and Varieties : 

 amabilis, 3', ITS. bronze cocciuea, 3', sum., so., 



above, with wh. central pk. ; only species with 



stripe, dull red beneath ; an attractive inflores- 



var. splendeus is better cence. 



than the type. 



LEEK. 



A valuable winter vegetable (Allium porrum), 

 closely related to the Onion, but having a more 

 delicate flavour. 



Seed Sowing. The time of seed sowing is 

 governed by the quantity of plants required. For 

 general purposes a sowing at the middle of March 

 suffices, but where a longer season of supply is 

 sought, sow in February, March, and April. Sow 

 in a seed bed, and transplant when the seedlings 

 are about 6" high. 



Planting. This should be in well-prepared, rich 

 soil, previously watered if very dry. If small stock 

 for home use is required, make holes about 9" deep 

 and 8" apart, with a broom handle, drop one 

 plant in each, fill with water, and leave. The 

 plants will grow and fill the hole, and useful 

 produce is ensured with little labour. For large 

 produce, plant in trenches or on very deep, rich 

 ground, and ensure perfect blanching by wrapping 

 in brown paper, not tied so tightly as to arrest 

 progress. 



Other Cultural Points. The plants left in the 

 seed bed will form small stems the following 

 spring if the flowers are removed ; these make an 

 excellent vegetable. The main crops must be 

 thoroughly watered in dry weather, as they are, 

 like Onions, gross feeders, and a check in growth 

 through lack of food often results in tough, strong 

 produce. Leeks are perfectly hardy, and need not, 

 therefore, be lifted and stored for winter ; indeed, 

 they are much superior in flavour when drawn as 

 required. 



Selection of Varieties : 



Ayton Castle Giant. 

 Bobbie's Champion. 



Musselburgh. 

 The Lyon. 



Ledorarpum (see Jialbixia) . 

 Zce-i' -- - T --'-- ' "-- 



^edocarpum (see Jialbixia}. 



',ce-chee, or Litchee (see Nepliellwm Litchi). 



LEIANTHUS. 



Stove shrubs and trees (ord. Gentianese). Prop- 

 agation is by cuttings in very sandy soil, beneatli a. 

 bell-glass, over bottom heat ; or by seeds. Soil, 

 loam and peat, both fibrous, with coarse sand. 

 The removal of the plants to a cooler structure for 

 flowering ensures a longer display. 



Principal Species : 



longifolius, 2', Aug., yel. 



(nipt, Lisianthus lougi- 



folius). 

 m'gresceus, 2', Aug., blk. 



(xyn. Petalostylis ni- 

 grescens) . 



umbellatus, '21', My., yel., 

 gru. 



LEIOPHYLLUM. (AMMYKSINE.) 

 Hardy evergreen shrubs (ord. Ericaceae), prop- 

 agated by layers in summer, or by cuttings in very 

 sandy peat. Soil, three parts of peat and one part 

 of leaf mould, with coarse sand. 



Principal Species ; 



buxifolium, 1', My., wh. prostratum, 1', Ap., 

 (si/ns. Leiophvlluni thy- wh. (;/. Lyoni and 



mifolium and Lcduin prostratum). 



buxifolium) . 



LEMNA. 



A small genus of tiny hardy aquatics (ord. 

 Lemnacese), which float on the water surface and 

 multiply with great freedom. The Duckweed, so- 

 well known as a bright green surfacing on stagnant 

 pools and quiet backwaters, is the smallest species 

 minor. The flowers are minute, set in urn-shaped 

 spathes. Neither minor, polyrhiza, nor trisulca 

 requires any artificial aid in the matter of increase ; 

 the difficulty is to repress the Duckweeds. 



LEMON (see CITRUS MEDICA 

 LIMOMUM). 



LENTILS. 



The Lentils of sacred history are probably the 

 same as those of the present day, i.e. the seeds of 

 Lens esculenta (syn. Ervum Lens), a weedy, wing- 

 leaved, annual, Leguminous plant, that is dis- 

 tributed throughout the Orient and is extensively 

 cultivated in many parts of Southern Europe, 

 Egypt, and India. The food value of Lentils is 

 very high, but they have never been very popular 

 in this country, though the ma.kers of patent foods 

 have always been well aware of their value. 



LENT LILY (see NARCISSUS). 



LEOCHILUS. 



These are little known, small-growing epiphytic 

 Orchids (ord. Orchidaceaj), closely allied to Oncid- 

 ium. They are best managed in an intermediate 

 house, planted in Teak baskets, in a mixture of 

 sphagnum, fibrous peat, and finely broken crocks. 

 Increase is by division when new growth com- 

 mences. 



Principal Species : 



oncidioides, 6", aut., wh., pk., pur. (syns. Oncid- 

 ium macrantherum and Kodriguezia maculata). 



Other Species : 



eaviuatus, 4", aut., or. sanguinoleutus, fi", aut., 



cochlearis, 4", sum. , yel. crim. 



Lcimantliium, (see Melantliiwm}. 



Leiospermum (see Weinmannia). 



Lcmbotroiris (see Cytisiis). 



Lemon Uergamotte (see Citrus medico, Limetta). 



Lemon Grass (see Andropogou), 



Lemonidf (see Racenia). 



