EGG-PLANT. 155 



Element. Pounds of different material for one acre. 



f 1000 to 1600 Ibs. cotton seed meal ; or 

 XT ., ! 600 to 1000 Ibs. dried blood ; or 



Nitrogen ............... ] 400 to 650 Ibs. nitrate of soda; or 



[ 325 to 525 Ibs. sulphate of ammonia. 



f 1600 to 2000 Ibs. kainit ; or 



275 to 450 Ibs. muriate of potash : or 

 Potash ................. \ 275 to 450 Ibs. sulphate of potash; or 



| 500 to 800 Ibs. sulphate of potash and 

 sulphate of magnesia. 



_, , . . , ( 750 to 1200 Ibs. acid phosphate, or 

 Phosphoric acid.... | ^ to IQOO Ibs. dissolved bone. 



CULTIVATION. 



The field cultivation of this plant is very simple. 

 The soil should be stirred deeply and well. The 

 cultivation should not be carried to the extent of tear- 

 ing the roots, however. Those who are not acquainted 

 with the root system of this plant will find it profita- 

 ble to dig into the soil frequently and find out how 

 near the top and how far the roots extend. During 

 rainy weather it will be necessary to plow the field 

 as often as twice a week. This cannot, of course, 

 be done when the field is on strong clay soil. Dur- 

 ing dry weather plowing will not have to be repeated 

 so often nor so deeply, but merely stirring the upper 

 stratum to the depth of three or four inches will be 

 sufficient. 



GATHERING. 



It is quite important that we be able to tell just 

 when the fruit is ready for market. While the early 

 crop brings the best price, usually, the fruit is liable to 

 be too small and green for the market. Fruit that is 

 too ripe is quite worthless. As soon as the berry turns 

 from a lustrous purple to a dull color, you may sus- 

 pect that shipping time has arrived. The best way is 

 to test a few eggs by cutting through the center ; if 

 the seeds are well formed, the time for gathering has 



