68 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



slops thrown out. The barrel should allow the water to pass out 

 at the bottom. 



Egg ])lant, though of comparatively recent introduction is annu- 

 ally growing in favor. It requires a long warm season to mature it, 

 hence should be sown in a hot-bed. Most persons procure plants 

 grown by professional gardeners, or those having hot-beds, setting 

 them in the open ground about the middle of May, two feet apart 

 each way. The ground should be rich, light and loarm, and if 

 well tended the result will be a full crop of large eggs. Like the 

 cucumber, they are to be eaten green but not raw. We prefer 

 them sliced thin and pared over night; sprinkle a little salt on 

 each piece and put in a plate. Pour off the dark liquid extracted, 

 and fry brown in lard, first dipping each piece in a batter of eggs. 



Sweet corn should find a place in every vegetable garden, unless 

 more space is allowed it elsewhere. Plant early varieties the last 

 of April or very near the first of May, and later sorts the middle 

 of May, first and middle of June, to keep up a succession, cover- 

 ino- one inch in rows three feet apart. It will also come to matu- 

 rity planted up to the 10th of July. In its season the kitchen may 

 properly make large and frequent drafts upon the green corn, boil- 

 ing the ears, making puddings and succotash, and drying a goodly 

 quantity for winter. 



Lettuce. — If there is a hot bed, sow seeds for early heads, to 

 transplant about the middle of April. Being very hardy, it is fre- 

 quently sown in September and pricked out in a cold frame, to be 

 covered during the winter. To keep up a succession, sow in the 

 open ground the middle of April, May, June and July; in drills one 

 foot apart, and thin the head or cabbage sorts to six inches. Gro w- 

 iuo- quickly, they may well be transplanted between cabbages, 

 cucumber, squash and melon hills, perfecting themselves before 

 they are in the way. Cover the seed lightly ; usually one-fourth 

 inch is suiEcient except in very dry weather. Lettuce heads best 

 in a moist soil or during wet seasons. The Consorts are not favo- 

 rites with us, but Tennis Ball, Early Cabbage or White Butter 

 Dutch cabbage and White Silesia are good sorts. 



Melons. — These require a rich soil and good culture, their treat- 

 ment being similar to the cucumber, save that the watermelon, 

 which runs to a greater distance, should have the hills six to eight 

 feet apart. Though the ground be rich, it is well to excavate a 

 laro-e hole and work in a half bushel of old manure to each hill, 

 mixino- it well with the earth. Hog manure is excellent for this 



