DESCEIPTIVB CATALOGUE. 
31 
United States, the seed may be thinly sown in March, April, 
or May, in drills one inch deep and a foot apart. If the 
weather be dry, water freely. Thin out the plants two or 
three inches apart, and keep them clear of weeds by hoeing. 
In the October or November following, cover over the crowns 
of the roots with a few inches of earth. Early the next spring, 
trench a plot of light sandy loam, fifteen inches deep, well 
manured and incorporated with a bushel of common salt to 
each square rod. Form it into beds, and plant ihe roots two 
feet apart, with their crowns two' inches below the surface. 
With •proper management in watering and keeping the beds 
free from weeds, and preventing the plants from running to 
seed, they will continue in perfection twelve or fifteen years. 
For winter and spring use, the plants may be brought forward 
by hand glasses, or by glazed muslin fnimes. 
The plants which are not forced may be blanched by cover- 
ing them with eight or ten inches of sand or fine light soil, 
.early in the spring. Strong sprouts will rise, of a clear white 
color. 
LEEK. 
Allium porrtim Or Hotanistb. 
Porreau FltKNCII. 
Puorro,..'. Spanish. 
Porreo, Lanoh, Gkiimah. 
The leek is a hardy biennial, belonging to the onion family, 
which attains perfection in size for culinary purposes the first 
year. The whole plant is eaten in soups, <fec, and by some 
persons it is boiled and eaten with meat. 
The two principal varieties cultivated for use, are the Large 
London and the Laryc Scolch or Flag. 
Cultivation-. — The seed may be sown any time during the 
flowering of our common orchard fruits (see table on page 8). 
Sow thinly in a light bed of rich ground, in drills, six inches 
apart, and half an inch deep. Cover them lightly, and beat 
the ground with the back of a spade. Snon after the plants 
are up, thin them to an inch apart ; and when about eight 
inches high, transplant them in moist weather, in as rich a soil 
