180 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



We see from tlie above that a good soil for leeks abounds 

 in potash, lime, and sulphuric and phosphoric acids. Ashes, 

 bones, gypsum, and common salt, will supply the requisite 

 salts if wanting, for this or almost any other garden crop. 

 A compost of guano, gypsum and charcoal would be very 

 beneficial. 



Varieties. — These are two, the Scotch, which is the 

 larger and hardier, and the London, which by many is 

 considered the better of the two. 



Culture. — The leek is raised solely from seed which 

 may be sown at any time during autumn, winter, and 

 spring, until the middle of April. February is the best 

 month for the purpose, if but one crop is raised. 



The soil for leeks as for the others of the onion tribe, 

 should be light and rich; the blackest and most fertile soil 

 of the garden, but the manure applied must not be rank. 

 The same guano compost may be applied as for onions. 

 Leeks are generally sown broadcast, but it is a much 

 neater method to sow in drills. Make the drills in the 

 seed-bed eight inches apart, and about an inch deep, and 

 scatter the seed rather thinly. Press the earth upon the 

 seed as directed for onions. Some gardeners thin them 

 out, and allow them to remain in the seed-bed, but the 

 leek is so much improved by transplanting that this plan 

 cannot be recommended. When the plants are three or 

 four inches high, they must be weeded and thinned to one 

 or two inches apart, and frequently watered in dry wea- 

 ther. The seed-bed must be kept clean and light by weed- 

 ing, or the use of the hoe whenever required, until the 

 plants are six or eight inches high, when they will be fit 

 for transplanting. They must then be taken away from 

 the seed-bed, the ground being previously well watered, 

 if not already soft and yielding. 



Having prepared beds foui feet wide by spading in a 



