Cultural Directions. — 239 



Long Purple. 



apart, and keep free from weeds. Where seed was left to ripen 

 plants will spring up in great abundance the season following 

 Little attention in the way of manuring or cultivation is required. 



EGG PLANT. 



Solanum melongena. G&rvadin, EierpJIanze ; French, Auder- 

 gine ; Spanish, Berengena. — In the cultivation of the egg-plant 

 we have to face several serious difficulties, among them chiefly 

 its half tropical nature, which calls for the 

 display of especial skill in raising good plants, 

 and the great fondness of the potato bug for 

 this particular food. 



Growing the Plants. — First of all we 

 need strong plants. To start the seed and 

 cause thrifty plant growth, a higher degree of 

 heat and that of longer duration is required 

 than for tomatoes or peppers. A good green- 

 house, with heat under full control, is a great 

 convenience in this emergency. The temper- 

 ature should not be allowed to fall below 70 

 degrees Fahr. during any of the stages of 

 development. Sow seed during March or 



early April, and when plants are 

 about an inch high, prick them 

 out in pots or old tomato cans, in 

 good rich potting soil. Where no 

 warm greenhouse is at hand, a 

 fresh hot-bed will have to answer 

 for sowing seed ; but the young 

 plants as soon as potted off should 

 be transferred to another, freshly- 

 made hot-bed. Better plants are 

 usually grown in tomato cans, or in 

 large boxes, than in ordinary flower 

 pots. 



Planting and Cultivation. — 

 Well-drained, warm, rich soil is an 

 indispensable condition of success 

 with this crop. Good compost, or 

 other good fertilizer, should not 

 be spared. When the ground 

 has become thoroughly warmed 

 through, and not before, set the plants 2 or 3 feet apart each way 

 — the latter distance in rich soil — and keep well cultivated and 

 free from weeds. Dusting the plants frequently with plaster, 

 especially if a little carbolic acid is mixed with it, has a decided 



New York Purple. 



