162 THE MANSE GARDEN. 



not spring early, it is better to procure plants from 

 a warmer climate, and which is the more convenient 

 as they do not readily suffer by carriage. There is 

 no advantage in very early sowing, as the seed waits 

 for heat. The first of April is soon enough : and 

 it is a good rule to sow pretty thick for shelter, and 

 at more breadth than is necessary for a supply of 

 plants; for it so happens, that out of the greater 

 multitude of chances, plants of a good size are more 

 early procured. This principle ought to be noticed 

 in garden competitions as a larger field, without 

 better cultivation, has, for an extraordinary produc- 

 tion, the advantage over one that is smaller. In the 

 beginning of July, on the removal of some early crop, 

 dig plentifully into the ground old black well decayed 

 manure, and in soft weather take up the seedling 

 leeks, select the largest, crop them at both ends, and 

 throw aside all that have suckers ; make deep holes 

 with the dibble, in rows one foot by six inches, and 

 let the plants drop in nearly up to the head. Leave 

 the holes open, sending down only as much earth as 

 may serve to cover the roots. The open space en- 

 courages the swelling of the stem, and answers per- 

 fectly for blanching while the slight covering is of 

 use, partly to prevent withering, and partly the 

 strange vexation of finding your plants lying full 

 length on the surface, being hauled up by worms. 



It is no bad plan, if you cannot have your plants 

 early, to avoid transplanting altogether. With this 

 intention, gather the ground into small ridges eigh- 

 teen inches apart, and sow the seed in the furrows 

 between each ridge. Thin out, and let the plants 

 grow where they have been sown ; and the interven- 



