72 KITCHEN-GARDENING. 



may be given in the heat of the day. Towards the middle of 

 May, if the weather be warm and settled, the plants should 

 be set out from twenty-four to thirty inches apart, in a rich, 

 warm piece of ground ; and if kept clean, and a little earth 

 be drawn up to their stems when about a foot high, they 

 will produce plenty of fruit. 



Plants of the white variety may be raised in the same ma.i- 

 ner and transplanted into pots in May ; or if some of the seed by 

 sown in a warm situation the first week in May, these may 

 come to perfection in the course of the summer. This variet}', 

 though generally cultivated for ornament, is good when cooked. 



As Egg-plants will not grow in the open ground until settled 

 warm weather, and are apt to perish from being transplanted 

 too early, the gardener should be provided with small pots, 

 in order that the plants may be transplanted therein early 

 in May, and placed in a frame, there to remain until the 

 first week in June, at which time, if they are turned out 

 and planted with the balls of earth entirCj they will soon take 

 root and grow freely. 



MANNER OF COOKING. 



Select the fruit when at maturity ; cut it into slices, and 

 parboil it in a stewpan ; when softened drain off the water; 

 it may then be fried in batter made with wheaten flour and 

 an egg, or in fresh butter with bread grated fine and seasoned 

 before it is put in the pan, with pepper, salt, thyme, and such 

 other herbs as may best suit the palate. Some use Marjoram, 

 Summer Savory, Parsley, Onions. 



Egg-plant seed will not vegetate freely without substantial 

 heat. If the plants get the least chilled in the earlier stage 

 of growth, they seldom recover. It is therefore important that 

 the frame allotted for them be placed over a well-regulated hot- 

 bed, and partitioned off, so that the sash can be kept down over 

 the plants in cool weather. 



Some gardeners raise Egg-plants in the same frame with Cab- 

 bage, and such other half-hardy plants as require air every mild 



