17C 



TRUCK-FARMING AT THE SOUTH. 



Only a very few years since, the demand for egg-plants 

 (as the fruit is called), was so limited in the New York 

 market, that but a few could be sold, and it did not pay 

 to plant a crop for shipment. This was probably in part 

 owing to the fact, that the cultivation of this plant at 

 the North is attended with trouble, in consequence of 

 its tenderness, and a successful crop is doubtful. Lat- 

 t9rly a more general taste for the vegetable seems to have 



been developed, and its 

 consumption has greatly 

 increased. As late as July 

 8th, last (and egg-plant 

 had been in the Savan- 

 nah market from Florida 

 since January), a ship- 

 ment of my own, averag- 

 ing about sixty-five fruits 

 to the barrel, sold in the 

 New York market at six 

 dollars per barrel. The 

 farmers of the southern 

 part of Florida, from 

 Tampa to Key West, be- 

 ing exempt from frost, 

 may produce such tropi- 

 cal vegetables at will, as far as season is concerned. 

 On Dec. let of last year, egg-plants and tomatoes 

 were mature at Clear Water. The only variety cultivated 

 for market is the "New York Purple Improved." This 

 being a tropical fruit, or berry, it must reach its greatest 

 development and mature its seed most perfectly at the 

 South, for which reason it is not only possible, but ad- 

 visable to use seed of home growth in preference to that 

 produced at the North. 



The seed and young plants require more of a tropical 

 heat (65 to 70) for their germination and continued 



Fig. 45. EGG-PLANT " NEW YORK 

 PURPLE IMPROVED." 



