LEEK. 
The Leek is a vegetable not much grown in America, except by market gardeners in the 
neighborhood of large cities. It is of the Onion family, and partakes alike of its flavor and 
fragrance, but never forms a rounded bulb. The Leek has the appearance of what 
is known as " scallions" among Onions. The long, thick neck or tunicated bulb, 
when well grown and blanched, is white for several inches, and nearly to the leaves, 
and this is used for flavoring soups, and is sometimes served as Asparagus, The 
seed is generally sown in the spring in a seed-bed, and the young plants trans- 
planted about the first of July, or after an early crop of Lettuce or Peas have been 
taken from the ground. The Leek requires earthing up so as to let as much of the 
stem blanch as possible. Some growers plant in shallow trenches. It is not neces- 
sary to transplant, as the seed can be sown in rows and thinned out, as for Onions, 
and then earthed up. The Leek requires a rich, clean soil. In mild climates the 
Leek may be allowed to remain in the ground all winter, to be gathered as needed ; 
but in cold climates they are taken up and stored, like Celery, for winter and spring 
use. The Leek will bear 20 degrees of frost without injury. At transplanting set 
the plants rather deep. The demand for this seed has been so small that we have several times 
omitted it from our list. The engraving shows the appearance of the Leek with the top removed, 
ready for bunching for market. Six or eight are usually put in a bunch. 
ENDIVE. 
Endive is another plant but little inquired for in this country, and yet it is an excellent autumn 
and winter salad. It is naturally very bitter, but this is much 
lessened by blanching. The Endive is thought to be a native of 
China. For growing, select a cool, moist situation, such as 
would answer for growing Lettuce in the summer. Sow the 
seed late in the spring, or even as late as July, in shallow drills, 
and when the plants are strong thin out so that they will stand ^ 
about a foot apart. Towards fall gather up the plant in a conical 
form, and tie near the top. The outside, coarse leaves will keep 
the plant in shape and blanch those inside near the heart. Sometimes a little earth is drawn 
toward the plant. Plants not needed for autumn use can be taken up and planted in a bed of 
earth in the cellar, the tops being tied up, and the roots only in the earth. In this way they will 
keep until spring. Be sure that the plants are dry when they are tied up or stored in the cellar. 
[Vick's Flower and Vegetable Garden is published by James Vick, Rochester, N. Y. Price, in paper 
covers, 50 cents ; bound in handsome cloth covers, $1.00. At this price it will be sent by mail, postage paid, 
to any part of the world. 
Every year, on the first of December, we publish a Priced Catalogue of Seeds, giving the prices of every- 
thing for the Winter and Spring. We will send this free to all who write for it, enclosing the postage. Two Cents. 
Vick's Floral Guide is a Quarterly Magazine, beautifully printed and illustrated. Price, only 25 cents a 
year. To every one who trades with us to the amount of One Dollar it is sent free. Two Dollars for a club of 
Five. Any person having paid for the Guide, and afterward ordering seeds, can deduct the money sent for the 
Guide.] 
All my works are published both in the English and German languages. 
A Wholesale Catalogue published on the 15th of December each year, for the benefit of Dealers in Seeds, 
and sent free to all who apply. 
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