LEEK. 163 



the best for cnltnre in this country. It has an up- 

 right growth, with long, narrow leaves. These 

 shonld be fastened up with a little straw, for ten (jr 

 twelve days before cutting, to blanch. With this 

 treatment, the Cos will be found of superior quality 

 for salads. 



Gardeners should not overlook the importance of 

 selecting the best specimens of their kinds of Let- 

 tuce, to grow for seed. To plant seeds not true to 

 name is an unprofitable business. 



A hundred plants planted e^'ery month in the 

 Spring will afford enough for family use. A small 

 paper each of two varieties will, when sown in a 

 sheltered spot in the garden, give that number of 

 plants. 



LEEK. 



Allium porrwm. 



The Leek is a hardy biennial, that will stand the 

 severity of our Winters with but slight protection. 

 It attains its full size the first year, but does not pro- 

 duce seed until the second. The Leek is similar in 

 quality to the Onion ; by many persons it • is pre- 

 ferred on account of its milder flavor. It is used in 

 soups and salads ; sometimes it is boiled alone and 

 served like Asparagus or Onions. 



With the market-gardener, the Leek is always 

 grown as a second crop ; it shoiild be cultivated in 

 tlie same way by the private gardener. 



The seed should be sown in a well-prepared bed, 

 about the middle of April, in rows one foot apart. 



