LEEK. 107 



for market, it is not a desirable crop to grow for shipping, 

 as in this state, it soon heats when packed, and quickly 

 decays. Gardeners prefer American-grown seed, and 

 hence I notice it here more particularly, as being of in- 

 terest to the seed-grower. 



Sowing Seed and Growing the Plants, Early in 

 spring select a piece of rich ground ; plow, harrow, and 

 rake fine ; mark rows with the ten-inch marker, one and 

 a half inch deep ; sow the seeds moderately thin, and 

 cover by raking in. One ounce of seed will produce four 

 thousand plants. When well up, work between the 

 rows with a push hoe ; remove all weeds in the rows by 

 hand ; afterward give a deep hoeing and keep free from 

 weeds. 



Soil and Preparation, The leek requires a strong, 

 very rich soil, and is generally grown after a crop which 

 has been very highly manured. The early crop being re- 

 moved, clean off all weeds and rubbish, plow deep, harrow 

 fine, and smooth with the back of the harrow, mark rows 

 with the fifteen-inch marker, and be prepared for a wet 

 day for transplanting. This plant is not so sensitive to 

 drouth as some others, and may be set when the earth is 

 only moderately wet, when celery, for instance, could not 

 be set out with safety. 



Planting and Cultivation, The season of planting is 

 the latter part of July. The plants may be set six inches 

 apart in the rows already marked out, requiring about 

 seventy thousand for an acre. 



The plants should be raised by a spade, carefully drawn 

 out, held evenly in one hand, and the loose roots and 

 leaves cut back one half. Plant deep, pressing the earth 

 firm to the root with the dibble. Push-hoe after planting, 

 and later give a deep hoeing, pulling all weeds from the 

 rows by hand ; repeat the push-hoeing and weeding oc- 

 casionally. 



