LEEKS 175 



Should any sign of distress show, top dress with 

 loam and well-rotted manure and dust the surface 

 occasionally with Clay's or ichthemic guano. Mr. 

 Beckett says : " I have paid a good deal of attention 

 trying to improve existing varieties with the result 

 that the variety I raised and now being sent out under 

 the name of Ideal is to my mind the most useful and 

 perfect Cucumber I have grown. Lockie's Perfection 

 is also a splendid variety for winter use, but hardly 

 long enough." 



LEEKS. 



It must not be assumed that the magnificent 

 specimens sometimes staged are brought to such per- 

 fection without a considerable amount of trouble and 

 forethought ; indeed, few vegetables cultivated for 

 exhibition require more attention to bring them to 

 such a high standard of excellence. For some reason 

 or another, our northern friends generally excel in 

 their culture, this being no doubt due to their better 

 knowledge of the Leek's requirements, but at the 

 same time when valuable prizes are offered in open 

 competition the southern growers of late years have 

 not been far behind, and in one or two notable in- 

 stances have proved victorious. 



Leeks are generally shown six together, and these 

 should be as alike both in length of blanched stem 

 and circumference as it is possible to get them. The 

 blanched part should be of the same thickness through- 

 out, with no sign of bulbing at the bottom. Many 



