132 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



No air is given for a week or so and the lights are 

 covered with mats to accelerate germination. When 

 this takes place, light must be admitted, and the 

 mats are only put on at night for protection. 



A month or six weeks after sowing, the young plants 

 are pricked out on similar hot-beds, allowing 3 to 4 in. 

 between each. A gentle watering is given. The lights 

 are kept closed for a few days, and the young plants 

 are shaded from the sunshine. As soon as signs of 

 fresh growth appear, a little air is given in fine weather 

 to keep the plants sturdy. 



Where space, manure, and lights are available, Egg- 

 plants may be pricked out a second time a fortnight 

 or so after the first one, at least 6 in. being left between 

 the plants on this occasion. 



From eight to ten weeks after the seeds have been 

 sown that is to say, about the end of January, or early 

 in February the plants should be placed in their 

 fruiting frames. The beds in these need not be quite 

 so hot as those first made, as the temperature outside 

 is gradually increasing each day. The bed is covered 

 with about 8 in. of a compost half of which is sandy 

 loam and half rich old manure. About six or nine 

 plants are then carefully placed in each light, and a 

 good watering completes the work. The lights are 

 kept closed and the plants shaded for a few days, 

 until they become re-established. 



Intercropping. The space between the Egg-plants 

 need not be wasted. Seeds of " Gotte " or " George " 

 Lettuces and Radishes may be sown between them, 

 or young Lettuces of the varieties mentioned may be 

 pricked out in the rows. 



As soon as the Egg-plants have again started into 



