EARTH - NUT EGGPLANT 

 EARTH-NUT. See Peanut. 



117 



EGGPLANT, Guinea-squash, or Aubergine (Solarium 

 melongena\ is a very tender annual plant, seldom cul- 

 tivated commercially 

 with us north of New 

 York city, and, except 

 in the southern states, 

 invariably started un- 

 der glass. It is grown 

 for its large fruits, 

 which are edible from 

 one-third the full size 

 until they are fully 

 ripe. The culture of 

 Eggplant is much like 

 that of tomato, though 

 the plants require 

 more care; they must not receive a check from their 

 first starting, in order to get good results. Conse- 

 quently they are best grown in pots before transferring 

 to the open ground. Eggplants are always grown in 

 hills, which should be made rich and " quick "; two or 

 three good fruits to a vine is a satisfactory crop. 

 Varieties are practically black and white, and large 

 and dwarf. Black are required for the market, but 

 white are excellent for home use ; the dwarfs are much 

 earlier than the large, and are to be recommended for 



Fig. 57. Eggplant. Pot-grown plant ready 

 for setting in the garden. 



