LEEK. 



181 



quantity of well-rotted manure, lay it ofif in little trenches 

 twelve inches apart, and as deep as the hoe will conve- 

 niently go. Dibble holes three inches deep, and six inches 

 apart in the bottom of the trenches, in which set out the 

 plants. Press the earth to the roots and neck only, and 

 not to the leaves. The tops may be slightly trimmed and 

 the roots slightly shortened. Some prefer planting them 

 on the level surface of the prepared bed, by inserting 

 them in holes made with the dibble, in rows ten inches 

 asunder, and eight inches apart in the rows nearly down 

 to the leaves, with the whole neck beneath the surface, 

 that it may be well blanched. Choose a moist time for 

 transplanting, and give a little water should they droop 

 A portion may remain in the seed-bed, six inches apart in 

 the rows, but they do not grow as large as the transplanted 

 ones. 



The beds must be hoed occasionally to keep them free 

 from weeds and loosen the soil. In dry weather they 

 should be freely watered. By cutting off the leaves a lit- 

 tle about once a month, the neck will swell to a much 

 larger size; earth them up gradually if they stand on a 

 level ground, and, if in the trenches, the earth should be 

 drawn by a hoe, little by little, into the trenches, as the 

 plants increase in growth. 



If a very early crop of leeks is desired, they may be 

 planted in September, and the plants will be ready to set 

 out the middle of February ensuing, and will come into 

 use in June or July. Leeks can be planted between 

 almost any other crop by giving six inches extra room. 



For Seed. — Some of the finest roots ot last year's 

 growth, may be transplanted in February, eight inches 

 distant in a row. When the seed stems arise, they must 

 be supported by tying them to stakes. The heads should 

 be cut when changed to a brownish color, with about a 



