MISCELLANEOUS VEGETABLES 365 



it is desired to force the crop. A few coils of pipe will 

 provide the required amount of heat for this hardy plant. 



EGGPLANT 



It is a simple matter to grow the eggplant under glass. 

 For many years it has been forced in private establish- 

 ments, and it has attracted attention occasionally for its 

 business possibilities. The spring crop the fruits being 

 harvested during the months of May, June and July 

 seems to be the most promising as a business venture, 

 largely because weather conditions at this season are 

 more favorable for the production of a crop that requires 

 plenty of sunshine. 



Any of the varieties may be grown under glass, but the 

 large, purple-fruited type is the most desirable. New 

 York Improved is probably one of the best varieties for 

 greenhouse culture. 



In the spring of the year a little more time is required 

 from seed sowing to ripened fruit than is needed for the 

 tomato. Seed sown February 1 should produce plants in 

 full bearing in June. 



The plants require a large amount of heat, fully as 

 much as cucumbers, throughout the period of growth. 

 Night temperatures should never be below 65 degrees 

 and day temperatures with sunshine may run up to 80 

 degrees or higher if the ventilators are open. Cold drafts 

 and sudden changes in temperature should be carefully 

 avoided, for unchecked growth is one of the most 

 important factors in producing a successful crop. 



The seed may be sown in flats or in a warm bed, and 

 in about four weeks the plants should be set in 2^-inch 

 pots. As soon as the pots become well filled with roots 

 the plants should be shifted to 4 or 5-inch pots and later 

 to the beds, space between plants being 2 feet apart each 

 way. Raised benches with bottom heat should be used 



