208 VEGETABLES. 



upon a deep free soil that has been previously well manured. To 

 promote rapid growth for the production of tender succulent 

 leaves, frequent waterings should be given as soon as the plants 

 get established, using drainings of the manure heap alter- 

 nately with clear soft water. When the plants are about full 

 grown, the blanching should be proceeded with, while watering 

 with liquid manure should cease. The simplest mode of blanch- 

 ing is by placing pots or seakale covers over the plants, which 

 should be done about three weeks before the heads are wanted, 

 when the plants should be carefully lifted and put into 7-inch 

 pots for exhibition. The points of merit are : (1.) Size of head ; 

 (3.) closeness of heart, with leaves well ciu'led; and (3.) well 

 blanched and tender. • 



THE HORSE-EADISH. 

 This useful perennial presents no choice of varieties, but 

 possesses within itself, when well grown, all the qualities that 

 can be desired for the purposes for which it is used. To obtain 

 large clean roots for exhibition, a trench 18 inches wide and 

 deep should be dug in March, into which six inches of well- 

 rotted manure should be dug. The surface soil should then 

 be replaced, and holes made one foot deep and the same apart, 

 into which strong clean pieces 12 inches long with the crown 

 left on should be dropped. The soil should then be firmed 

 and watered if dry. The roots should be lifted when they 

 are wanted, the leaves and small roots trimmed o£E, washed, 

 and tied in bundles for exhibition. The points of merit are : 

 (1.) Length and thickness; and (2.) straight, clean roots. 



THE LEEK. 

 When grown in its best form, the Leek forms a conspicuous 

 feature in a collection of vegetables. The best varieties for 

 exhibition are The Lyon and Renton's Monarch. Leeks for ex- 

 hibition should be sown in heat about the middle of February. 

 The best method is to fill as many 3i-inch pots as may be re- 

 quired with light rich soil, in which about half-a-dozen seeds 

 should be placed. When about three inches high, the best 

 plant should be selected, and all the others pulled out. As 

 soon as the roots fill the soil, the plants should be transferred 



