THE LEEK. 



67 



Soil, Sowing, and Cultivation. The Leek is very hardy, 

 and easily cultivated. It succeeds best in a light but well- 

 enriched soil. The seed should be sown in April, at the 

 bottom of drills made six or eight inches deep, and eighteen 

 inches asunder. Sow the seeds thinly, cover half an inch 

 deep, and thin the young plants to nine inches distant in the 

 drills. As the plants increase in size, draw the earth grad- 

 ually into the drills, and around the stems of the leeks, until 

 the drills are filled. By this process the bulbs are blanched, 

 and rendered tender and mild-flavored. In October the 

 leeks will be suitable for use, and, until the closiug-up of 

 the ground, may be drawn from time to time as required 

 for the table. For winter use, they should be preserved in 

 earth or sand. 



Early leeks may be obtained by sowing the seeds in a 

 hot-bed in February or March, and transplanting to the 

 open ground in June or July. 



Use. The whole plant has the flavor and general prop- 

 erties of the Onion : but the lower or blanched portion is 

 the part generally eaten ; and this is used in soups, or boiled 

 and served as asparagus. 



Varieties : 



The stem, or blanched 

 portion, of this variety is 

 about six inches in depth, 

 and an inch in diameter. 



It is remarkably hardy, and well suited 

 for open culture. 



Common Flag. 



Vil. 

 LONG FLAG. 



Rouen. 



homp. 



Stem short, but very Lar 



,, . i ,' 



thick, sometimes measur- 



ing nearly four inches in diameter. 



It is now the variety most cultivated 

 near Paris, and, since its general dis- 

 semination, has been much approved by 

 all who have grown it. It is found to 



Large Rouen Leek. 



