EGG PLANT. 67 



be given in the heat of the day.* Towards the middle of 

 May, if settled warm weather, the plants should be set out 

 from twenty-four to thirty inches apart, in a rich warm 

 piece of ground, and if kept clean, and a little earth be 

 drawn up to their stems, when about a foot high, they will 

 produce plenty of fruit. 



Plants of the white variety may be raised in the same 

 ma nner, and transplanted into pots in May ; or if some of 

 the seed be sown in a warm situation the first week in May, 

 these may come to perfection in the course of the summer. 

 This variety, though generally cultivated for ornament, is 

 good when cooked. 



As Egg Plants will not grow in the open ground until 

 settled warm weather, and are apt to perish from being 

 transplanted too early, the gardener should be provided 

 with small pots, in order that the plants maybe transplanted 

 therein early in May, and placed in a frame, there to remain 

 until the first week in June, at which time if they are turned 

 out and planted, with the balls of earth entire, they will 

 soon take mot and grow freely. 



Select the fruit when at maturity ; cut it into slices, and 

 parboil it in a stewpan ; when softened, drain off the water ; 

 it may then be fried in batter made with wheaten flour and 

 an egg, or in fresh butter with bread grated fine, seasoned 

 before it is put in the pan, with pepper, salt, thyme, and 

 such other herbs as may best suit the palate. Some use 

 Marjoram, Summer Savory, Parsley, Onion, &c. 



* Egg-Plant seed will not vegetate freely without substantial heat ; 

 but with proper management, upwards of four thousand plants may be 

 raised from an ounce of seed. If these plants get the least chilled in 

 progress of growth, they seldom recover; it is, therefore, importanl 

 that the frame allotted for them, be placed over a well-regulated hot-bed, 

 and partitioned off, so that the sash can be kept down over the plants 

 in cool weather. 



Some Gardeners raise Egg-plants in the same frame with Cabbage 

 and such other half hardy plants as require air every mild day ; by such 

 management, one or the other must suffer for want of suitable alimenfr 

 Heat being the principal food of tender plants, and Aif that of themora 

 hardy species. 



