The Cultivation of Vegetables 
97 
THE LEEK 
The Leek is one of the most useful of all winter vege- 
tables. It is perfectly hardy, and for the ordinary crop is 
extremely easy to grow, as the seed may be sown on a 
border, and when the early potatoes are dug the plants 
may be planted out in 
the place formerly occu- 
pied by the potatoes. 
The Leek is a gross- 
feeding plant, and re- 
quires a good, rich, and 
well - cultivated soil. 
The seed may be sown 
from the middle to the 
end of March, on a 
border which has been 
well dug or trenched, 
and plentifully man- 
ured. Sow thinly in 
drills i ft. apart and 
i in. deep. When the 
plants appear, the hoe 
should be kept going 
among them, to stir up 
the soil and keep down 
the weeds. By the middle of June, when the early potatoes 
are ready for use, the plants will be in good condition for 
transplanting. After the potatoes are taken up the ground 
should be dug over again and manured, after which the 
Leeks should be planted in rows 18 in. apart, with 4 to 
( C 526 ) 8 
