EGG PLANT 39 



so many fruits are secured from plants grown in a 

 small space, that they are really profitable. As a vege- 

 table those who have lived in foreign parts, are most 

 partial to them, and they make a nice break in the 

 ordinary supply of green foods; and during the summer 

 months many persons who have spare frames or pots 

 could grow the Aubergine to advantage, and once grown 

 they would, I feel sure, become favourites and always 

 find a place. 



To get strong plants early it is well to sow seed in 

 January or February in a warm house, giving the seeds 

 bottom heat to cause rapid germination. In all cases at 

 this time of year the plants should have a temperature 

 of 65 to 70 degrees, and if bottom heat is not given there 

 must be careful watering till the seedlings are through 

 the soil. As soon as the plants have made two leaves 

 they should be transferred to small pots, one in each, 

 and grown near the light. In a short time, say three 

 weeks or so, the plants will be ready for another shift, 

 and may then be placed in 6-inch pots and grown on as 

 before, finally potting into 8 or 9-inch pots. These latter 

 are for fruiting in. The soil should be fairly rich ; that 

 is, a good loam, to which should be added fertilisers or 

 well-decayed manure, and this applies more to the later 

 pottings than to the early. It is also important to keep 

 the plants moving ; that is, at no time during their early 

 stages of growth should they be allowed to get pot 

 bound as this would cause a few stray fruits to set, and 

 loss of crop. During the time the plants are maturing 

 their fruits there should be liberal supplies of liquid 

 manure, but this should be discontinued as soon as the 

 fruits have attained their full size, or show signs of 

 colouring. The plants should always be grown on a 

 single leg or stem at the start, and when strong enough 

 they should have the points taken out to cause a branched 



