LEEDS, Jonx, 1705-90; b. Talbot co., Md.; served for forty years as clerk of the county and judge of the provincial court ; in 1760 was appointed commissioner to supervise the returns of Mason and Dixon of the boundaries of Maryland end Pennsylvania. In 1769 he contributed to the Philosophical Transactions a paper on The Transit of "Venus, He was appointed surveyor-gen. of Maryland, and performed the duties of that office until his death.
LEEK (allium porrum • see ALLIUM), a biennial plant, and a native of the s. of Europe; with no proper bulb at the mot, but generally a slight increase of the thickness of the stem; a stem about 3ft. high, leafy at bottom; the leaves about an inch wide; the flowers in a large and very dense terminal globular umbel, which is not bulbiferous. It has been long in cultivation, and some of the varieties exhibit the effects of cultivation in greatly increased size and delicacy. The lower part of the stem, before it has run op
into a flower.stalk, blanched by earthing up or other means which also induce it to swell and extend, is much esteemed for culinary purposes. Its flavor is much milder than that Of the onion, or any other species of album. The leek has long been an especial favorite of the Welsh; and much attention has of late been paid to its cultivation in some parts of Scotland. It is generally sown in spring, and is used during the following winter. It delights in a rich but light and dry soil. Gardeners often. transplant seed ling leeks, instead of merely thinning out the original rows; and sometimes make deep boles for them with the dibble, into which they merely throW a little earth to cover the roots, leaving the stein to swell itl the open hole.