Culture of the Egg-Plant. 75 



is probably the best time, in this latitude, for the purpose. Do not sow the 

 seed broadcast or in drills. Mark off lines six inches apart ; and, at inter- 

 vals of six inches along these, push four or five seed into the soil in a space 

 as large as an old-time silver dollar. Keeping on the sash, and watering 

 freely, in a few days the plants will start, and must have, from the first, a 

 moderate allowance of fresh air, to be increased with their growth. As 

 they enlarge, thin out to three. In a few days, remove the third plant ; and 

 possibly, if the ground be well watered, it may be drawn out gently with 

 enough roots to justify transplanting and careful nurture. Unless, however, 

 it be two inches high, and have four healthy leaves, it were better to cast 

 it aside, and save your time. By the ist of May, the young plants will have 

 acquired, if healthy, some good, strong roots ; and then the selection of the 

 best must be made, and the secondary ones removed. This time, with 

 care, the transplants should live and thrive. But an eye must be kept on 

 the plants that remain. These should be watered morning and evening, and, 

 in very hot weather, about three or four o'clock in the afternoon. Often 

 when prostrate, and seemingly withered by the hot sunbeams, I have seen 

 them revived beyond my hopes, and rescued from injury, by the artificial 

 shower. 



Early in June, towards evening, in cloudy weather if practicable, and 

 when there is a prospect of rain, make the soil in the hot-bed very wet 3 

 employ a large spade or shovel, and insert it gently beneath the plant, so as 

 to take up with each as large a ball of the cohering earth as possible ; and 

 carry them, with the aid of another pair of hands (if available), to the bed, 

 and there deposit them gently in their i^laces ; if the ground be dry, paus- 

 ing, when the hole is half filled, to bestow a good watering upon the roots : 

 and, when all the plants are thus treated, fill up with light, dry earth, that 

 no crust be formed on the surface. 



Thus treated, the plants will scarcely pause in their growth ; and, " moody 

 fellows " as they are called, they will no doubt fall into a gracious mood, and 

 repay you generously all the season for your interest and trouble. But ply 

 the rake incessantly, and give the weeds no quarter : no roots beside those 

 of the lawful tenant should feed in the soil ; and that soil, as I have sug- 

 gested, should be deep, rich, well drained, and light. 



I will add, in conclusion, that the hot-bed, with its warm, moist earth, and 



