CHAP. I. CULINAKF VEGETABLES. 155 



four inches deep, into which the tubers are dropped at the dis- 

 tance of a foot apart. The drills are then covered in with earth. 

 When the plants are about eight inches high, they should be 

 earthed up, and water given occasionally, as the ground becomes 

 dry. It is of benefit to the plants to pluck off the flower-buds 

 before they open. 



A good, rich, loose soil suits the Potato ; but not one that 

 has been dressed with fresh manure. It is important that the 

 crop should not be grown two successive seasons in the same 

 spot. There is no plant that rejoices more in entirely fresh 

 ground than the Potato. 



When the plants come into blossom, they are considered to 

 have completed the number of tubers they will produce. The 

 Potatoes should not be dug up till the leaves and stems of 

 the plants have quite dried up and perished ; for it is not until 

 then that they are thoroughly ripe. Water should be withholdeu 

 a fortnight or more previous to the taking up of the tubers. 

 The attending to the thorough ripening of the Potato not only 

 renders it better for the table, but also makes it keep better 

 when laid in store. 



The supply of Potatoes at Calcutta and its vicinity is kept up 

 throughout the year by means of crops raised in the plains and 

 on the hills at two distinct seasons. Those sown in the middle 

 of October in the plains are dug up in February, and continue 

 in use till August or September, at which time supplies are 

 obtained of those that have been grown in the hills, where they 

 were planted in perhaps March or April. 



In the North- West Provinces the supply of Potatoes grown 

 in the plains was principally from Futtehpore, where large 

 quantities were annually produced. These failed about July ; 

 and from that time for nearly three months, till supplies come 

 down from the hills, no Potatoes were to be had. 



Solanum Melongena. 



BKINJAL EGG-PLANT AUBERGINE. 



Begoon. 



One of the most common of the native vegetables of this 

 country, cultivated in all parts of India. There are two 

 varieties, one with the fruits of the size of a large Orange, and 



