198 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES 



sary that the seedlings should quickly take hold and proceed vigor- 

 ously afterward. Plants may be grown from three to four feet 

 apart each way. 



After Treatment. The best of cultivation must be given to 

 prevent any check or setback in the growth of the plants. Irriga- 

 tion must be used as necessary to advance this result. It is desir- 

 able that the plant should be prevented from setting too many fruits, 

 and pinching off the terminals to prevent too great running out is 

 often advisable. It is also desirable to dispose the fruits so they 

 do not enlarge upon each other. 



Varieties. The New York Improved Purple is the favorite 

 variety and is chiefly grown. Black Beauty, a deep purple, a little 

 earlier but usually not quite so large is also popular. Other sorts, 

 though much less popular, are the Early Long Purple and the Black 

 Pekin. The White Pearl is the best of the whites which are, how- 

 ever, in less demand. The Tree Egg Plant is hardy, upright and 

 escapes some ills of lower growing varieties in bad weather. 



