30 
The Illustrated 
LEEK, DANIELS' CHAMPION. 
ReJucal from a Photograph . 
Guide for Amateur Gardeners. 
LEEKS. 
Cultivation. — The Leek is one of the most nutritious vegetables cultivated, and 
although to produce exhibition specimens much care and attention is needed, still a 
thoroughly good crop for cooking purposes can be grown quite oasily. Leeks are gross 
feeders and therefore require well tilled and liberally manured ground ; the best- plan is 
to give the land a thorough dressing of well-decayed manure in Autumn and trench it 
deeply, allowing it to remain rough for the Winter. The seed should be sown in drills 
in March for the main crop, and care must be taken to keep the ground thoroughly clean 
from the outset in order to give the seedlings a good start. 
The easiest mode of culture is to dibblo the young plants when about six inches 
high into holes made about twelve inches deep, giving occasional dressings of liquid 
manure. In September draw the earth round the plants. It is best to defer using 
Leeks till as late as possible in the Autumn, as the flavour improves. 
When it is desired to grow Leeks for exhibition, a good plan is to grow them in 
trenches in the same way as Celery, allowing two feet between the trenches ; for tins 
purpose the seed should be sown on a gentle hotbed in February, and the seedlings pricked 
off into boxes when big enough ; it is important that the young plants bo thoroughly 
hardened, as they will not stand coddling, but cold draughts should be avoided. When 
the plants have made about six inches of growth, plant them into trenches, allowing 
about 15 inches between each plant ; lift the plants out of the box with a trowel, to ensure 
getting a good lot of roots. As the plants grow, the soil must be carefully and firmly 
worked round the roots and this process continued all the Summer at intervals, giving 
frequent waterings of liquid manure. Some growers place collars of brown paper round 
the stems before commencing to earth up the plants as this excludes all light and is 
a great aid to blanching. 
There is every encouragement to grow Leeks to a large size, as the flavour of the 
finest specimens is superior to the smaller ones. This is not so in most vegetables, 
but is certainly the case with Leeks. 
per oz. — s. d. 
5)M“ DANIELS’ CHAMPION. This is undoubtedly one ol the finest 
Leeks in cultivation. It grows to a large size, and is unsurpassed 
for exhibition purposes, having produced specimens with 18 inches 
of blanched stem, and of perfect shape. It comes early into use, 
and is of exceptionally mild flavour. It has obtained First Prize at 
a great number of Shows on account of its extraordinary clearness 
of skin and handsome appearance. We strongly recommend 
this variety to intending exhibitors, as one likely to give the 
greatest satisfaction . . . . • . pe 1 ’ Pkt. Is. 2 C 
AYTON CASTLE GIANT. Remarkably large and good, may be grown ton to twelve 
inches in circumference, and with one foot of blanched stem per pkt. 4d. 1 0 
CONQUEROR. First-class; very superior either for competition or culinary 
purposes. It is of large size and blanches for considerable distance up the 
stem ; highly recommended . . . . . . • . P er pkt. I s - 2 ® 
HENRY’S PRIZE. Exceedingly large, blanches well, flavour mild, fine for 
exhibition . . . . . . . . • • • • P er P^t- 4d. 1 0 
LONDON FLAG. Large, broad-leaved. A good old variety possessing many 
excellent qualities . . . . . . . . _ • • • • . • • ® “ 
LYON. One of the largest kinds grown and excellent in every way. A kind 
much in demand for exhibition purposes . . . . per pkt. 6d. 1 0 
MUSSELBURGH. Extra broad-leaved, blanches to a large size, flavour mild, 
highly esteemed for soups. A well-established kind of considerable merit 
and hardiness ; grand stock . . . . . . . • P er pkt. 3d. 0 9 
EVIDENCE OF QUALITY. 
“ -yiic Seeds I got tom you in the Spring gave every satisfaction. The Sunrise Tomato did exceed- 
ingly well and was much admired.” — Mr. A. TAYLOR, Shirebrook. 
** x won First Prise for a Collection of Vegetables at our Fleet Show.” — Mr. J. BROWN, Holbeach. 
■■ I am -lad to tell you that your Seeds have dono grandly. The Lavender Bushes have also been 
most successful.”— Mr. P. A. BOYAN, Saltasb. 
a* 7 ! “I have obtained one hundred and eleven Prizes (61 First, XI Second, 1 Third, and S Speclals)^afc 
four separate Shows this season. Your Seeds have assisted me very much in getting this result. 
Mr. S. T. JACKSON, Caerphilly. 
" I am glad to say that I got First Prize at our Show last year for Leeks grown from your Seed.” 
—Mr. J. DAVISON, J arrow- on-Tyne. 
“ I won First Prize with your Leeks and Golden Rocca Onions last year.” — Mr. H. REDDING, 
Astwood Bank. 
«* I gained First Prize for a Collection of six Vegetables and Second Prize for a Collection of four 
Vegetables; First Prize for Onions, Second Prize for Carrots, also First Prize for your Duke ol York 
Potatoes, which were the finest in the Show.”— Mr. A. DOUBLE, Upper Beeding. 
