EGG-PLANT. 55 



Where Cucumbers are grown for family use, it is of great ad- 

 vantage to cover the ground with straw, which will keep the 

 sun from parching the soil in hot, dry weather, and prevent 

 the blossoms and young fruit from being covered with soil 

 during heavy rains. 



EGG-PLANT, 



Soldnum Melongena. — Melongene, Fr. — Tollapfel, Grer. 



The Egg-Plant was introduced from Africa, and is called 

 by some the Gruinea Squash. It is generally cultivated, and be- 

 coming more so every year. They are cut into thin slices 

 and fried, and have a taste very similar to oysters. Others 

 use them in stews and soups. They are fit for the kitchen 

 when they attain the size of a goose egg, and are in use till they 

 become nearly ripe, which is easily known by the seeds chang- 

 ing to a brown color. Many individuals are exceedingly fond 

 of them, while others will not taste them in any form. The 

 following varieties are cultivated : 



Large Prickly -Stemmed Furple grows larger than any of the 

 varieties, and is frequently seen two feet in circumference ; 

 shape, oval ; color, dark purple. 



Smooth- Stemmed^ so called because it has no prickles on the 

 stem, does not grow so large as the former. Shape, long oval ; 

 color, dark shining purple ; a few days earlier than the Prickly. 



Long Purple is considered by some superior in flavor to 

 either of the former ; it is eight to ten days earlier, a very 

 prolific variety, and the best for family use. 



White Egg-Plant. — The name Egg Plant is taken from 

 this variety, which is, when in a half-grown state, very like a 

 hen's egg in shape, color, and size. 



Culture. — There is a great ambition among growers to have 

 tkis vegetable in early use. I delight to encourage this emu- 



