LEEK

Allium Porrum



The leek is not so fully appreciated in the southern parts of England as

it is in the North, and in Scotland and Wales. It is a fine vegetable

where it is well understood, and when stewed in gravy there is nothing

of its class that can surpass it in flavour and wholesomeness. One

reason of its fame in Scotland and the colder parts of Wales is its

exceeding hardiness. The severest winters do not harm the plant, and it

may remain in the open ground until wanted, occasioning no trouble for

storage.



Times of Sowing.--To obtain large handsome specimens of the finest

quality a start must be made in January or early February, and this

early sowing is imperative for the production of Leeks for exhibition,

as the roots must be given a longer season of growth than is generally

allowed for ordinary crops. It is usual to sow in pans or boxes of

moistened soil, placed in a temperature of about 55 deg.. The seeds need

only a very light covering of fine soil. When the seedlings are about

two inches high transfer to shallow boxes of rich soil, spacing them

three inches apart each way, or the finest may be placed in pots of the

32-size, taking care not to break the one slender root on which the

plant depends at this stage. Grow on in the same temperature until

mid-March, when they may be transferred to a cold frame to undergo

progressive hardening in readiness for planting out at a favourable

opportunity in April.



There may be three sowings of Leek made in the open ground in February,

March, and April, to insure a succession, and also to make good any

failures. But for most gardens one sowing about the middle of March will

be sufficient. From this sowing it will be an easy matter to secure an

early supply, a main crop, and a late crop, for they may be transplanted

from the seed-bed at a very early stage, and successive thinnings will

make several plantations; and finally, as many can be left in the

seed-bed to mature as will form a proper plantation.



General Cultivation.--The Leek will grow in any soil, and when no

thicker than the finger is useful; indeed, in many places where the soil

is poor and the climate cold it rarely grows larger, but is,

nevertheless, greatly valued. A rich dry soil suits the plant well, and

when liberally grown it attains to a great size, and is very attractive,

with its silvery root and brilliant green top. The economical course of

management consists in thinning and planting as opportunities occur,

beginning as soon as the plants are six inches high, and putting them in

well-prepared ground, which should be thoroughly watered previously,

unless already softened by rain. The distance for planting must depend

upon the nature of the soil and the requirements of the cultivator. For

an average crop, eighteen inches between the rows and six to nine inches

between the plants is sufficient; but to grow large Leeks, they must be

allowed a space of twelve to eighteen inches in the rows. In planting,

first shorten the leaves a little (and very little), then drive down the

dibber, and put the plant in as deep as the base of the leaves, and

close in carefully without pressure. Water liberally, occasionally stir

the ground between plants, and again cut off the tops of the leaves,

when the roots will grow to a large size. If the ground is dangerously

damp or pasty, make a bed for the crop with light rich soil, plant on

the level and mould up as the growth advances. On light land, however,

it is advisable to grow them in trenches, prepared as for Celery. The

largest and whitest should not be left to battle with storms, but those

left in the seed-bed will take no harm from winter weather, and will be

useful when the grandees are eaten. The finest roots that remain when

winter sets in may be taken up in good time and stored in dry sand, and

will keep for at least a month. Any that remain over in spring can

readily be turned to account. As the flower-stems rise nip them out; not

one should be left. The result of this practice will be the formation on

the roots of small roundish white bulbs, which make an excellent dish

when stewed in gravy, and may be used for any purpose in cookery for

which Onions or Shallots are employed. They are called 'Leek Bulbs,'

and are obtainable only in early summer.



Blanching.--The edible part of the root should be blanched, and this

may be effected in various ways. Drain-pipes not less than two and a

half inches in diameter, and from twelve to fifteen inches in length,

answer well for large stems. Tubes of stiff brown paper are also very

serviceable. Drawing up the earth to the stem as growth develops is a

simple method of blanching, and the edible portion may easily be

increased according to the amount of earthing-up given. Perfect

blanching is of first importance when specimens are wanted for the

exhibition table, and a commencement must be made as soon as the plants

may be said to have thoroughly recovered from the effects of

transplanting.