BEHAVIOR OF EGGPLANTS. 229 
rapid growth. In July, when the plants grown under 
glass were compared with those planted in the open 
ground, an astonishing difference could be observed. 
Those set in the house were fully twice as large as the 
others; the leaves were larger and the stems thicker 
than those generally found in the gardens of this lati- 
tude, and the abundance of healthy foliage was ample 
proof that the plants were subjected to conditions ex- 
tremely favorable to their growth. 
Another interesting point was soon noticed.  Al- 
though the plants were blossoming very freely, still 
comparatively little fruit had set, and it appeared as if 
the entire energies of the plants had been directed to- 
wards the production of foliage at the expense of the 
fruit. This condition may perhaps be ascribed to two 
causes. Extreme activity of the vegetative functions of 
plants is frequently carried on at the expense of fruit 
production; this fact is commonly illustrated by young 
fruit trees which blossom sometimes several years be- 
fore they set fruit. The growth of the eggplant men- 
tioned above was sufficiently luxuriant to suggest the 
possibility of its having some effect upon the fruiting 
powers of the plants. The second and perhaps most 
probable cause of this unsatisfactory fruiting may have 
been imperfect pollination. Insects, and especially bees, 
were not working so freely in the house as outside, and 
later experience has shown very clearly that in order to 
get a satisfactory crop from eggplants grown under glass 
thorough pollination must be practiced. The foliage was 
so dense that the flowers were for the most part hidden. 
In such a position they were necessarily surrounded by 
a comparatively damp atmosphere, especially when 
borne upon branches that were near the surface of the 
ground, and this would still further tend to interfere with 
the free transfer of pollen by any natural agencies. Un- 
der such conditions a profitable yield could scarcely be 
expected; yet when carefully observed, the plants 
