Cultural Directions. 199 



tendency toward making bug visits less frequent; but where 

 these are very troublesome, applications of the Paris green mix- 

 tures will be necessary. For a number of years, while in New 

 Jersey, I have tried in vain to save a few plants from utter 

 destruction by bugs in early autumn. When the tops of the 

 late potatoes have died down (in August) it becomes a matter 

 of life and death to the hordes of hard-shell beetles to find a 

 little food. So they all at once pounce in full force upon the 

 egg-plants in the neighborhood, and will devour them even to 

 the stalks, in spite of all the applications we might make. In 

 such cases the only hope for success lies in extensive planting 

 and close watching. If any one can tell me a practical method 

 of protecting a few plants I shall be glad to hear. 



VARIETIES. 



New York Improved, New York Improved Purple. 

 This is more generally grown for market than any other ; and on 

 account of its mammoth size, handsome shape and color, a great 

 favorite. A selection of this naturally very prickly sort, much 

 grown among New Jersey market gardeners, is entirely free from 

 spines. 



Earliest Dwarf Purple. Too small for market, otherwise 

 resembling the New York Improved, only considerably earlier, 

 and for this reason valuable for home gardens at the extreme 

 north. Here I have little use for it. 



Early Long Purple. Two or three times as long as it is 

 broad. Color varies somewhat. Not much grown for market, 

 but good for the home garden, as it is early and comparatively 

 of easy culture. 



Black Pekin. Almost round in shape, and very dark in 

 color. Quite early for so large a variety. 



Japanese Varieties. Of these I have two under test. They 

 appear to be much hardier and easier to grow than other egg- 

 plants, but fruit is small and only valuable for the home garden. 



ENDIVE. 



Cichorium Endivia. German, Endivien ; French, Chicoree 

 Endive ; Spanish, Endivia. Endive, one of the best of fall and 

 winter salads, is not yet appreciated in America as is deserves. 

 Practically unknown in the average home garden, it is found only 

 in larger markets, and often there in but limited quantity. If my 

 readers will once try it, and bring it on the table well bleached, 

 crisp and tender, as a salad, in late fall or winter, I think they 

 will continue to grow it, thus adding to the luxuries of their 

 table. 



