66 ALLIACEOUS PLANTS. 



stews, and other dishes ; and, in some parts of Europe, are 

 eaten in a crude state with bread. 



The bulbs of the Common Garlic, as seen in the markets 

 of this country, generally average about an inch in diam- 

 eter ; but Mclntosh states, that, where they are skilfully 

 treated, they sometimes attain a circumference of seven and 

 a half inches. Twenty well-grown bulbs weigh one pound. 



Early Rose This is a sub-variety of the Common Garlic. 

 Garlic. rj^ p e ]ii c i 6j m w hi cn the small bulbs are en- 

 closed, is rosercolored ; and this is its principal distinguish- 

 ing characteristic. It is, however, nearly a fortnight 

 earlier. 



Great-headed This species is a hardy perennial, and is 

 remarkable for the size of its bulbs ; which, 

 as m tne foregoing species and variety, sepa- 



rate into smaller bulbs, or cloves. It is used and cultivated 



as the Common Garlic. 



ALL pRAsulf. ELO ~ 



THE LEEK. 



Allium porum. 



The Leek is a hardy biennial, and produces an oblong, 

 tunicated bulb ; from the base of which, rootlets are put 

 forth in great numbers. The plant, when full grown, much 

 resembles what are commonly known as " Scallions ; " the 

 lower, blanched portion, being the part eaten. This varies 

 in length from four to eight inches, and in diameter from 

 less than an inch to more than three inches. The seeds are 

 black, somewhat triangular in form, and, with the excep- 

 tion of their smaller size, are similar to those of the Onion. 

 Twelve thousand seeds are contained in an ounce, and they 

 retain their vitality two years. 



