LEEKS 177 



On this place four inches of half-rotted cow manure, 

 filling up the remainder of the trench with a mixture 

 of good fibrous loam, leaf soil, old Mushroom bed 

 manure and road scrapings in equal parts, with a free 

 sprinkling of finely sifted mortar rubbish and bone- 

 meal. This will make an ideal mixture for them. 

 Put out the plants fifteen inches apart in single lines, 

 disturbing the roots as little as possible and pressing 

 the soil only moderately firm. Give a good watering 

 afterwards, and if the weather is rough and stormy 

 shelter must be provided. Damp over frequently in 

 dry weather, and do everything possible to give the 

 plants a good start. 



Unlike Celery and most other things which require 

 blanching, the Leek must be drawn up and blanched 

 in its early stages of growth, as it is quite impossible 

 to do so with any success after the growth is made. 

 Ten days after planting commence the operation and 

 use brown paper collars or stiff brown paper, the former 

 for preference. They can generally be purchased at a 

 cheap rate from the various seed houses. A small stick 

 should be placed on each side of the collars to prevent 

 their blowing about. Water freely once a week, and 

 apply a small quantity of some good artificial manure, 

 say, about a dessertspoonful to each plant. 



As the heart appears above the paper collar this 

 may be drawn up until the desired height is reached, 

 placing a little fine soil round the base of the plant. 

 A month later zinc collars nine inches long, and suffi- 

 ciently large to avoid injuring the plant, and soldered 



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