228 GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



The other yams, Dioscorea sativa and alata, are culti- 

 vated on the Gulf coast to some extent, and in the same 

 manner as the sweet potato, except that the vines are sup- 

 ported by a stake or pole. 



D. aculeata sometimes grows three feet in length, and 

 often weighs thirty pounds. The roots are cut up into 

 small sets and planted in rows two feet apart and eighteen 

 inches in the row, and by forwarding them in pots upon 

 hot-beds have been grown in Europe as far north as Paris. 



EGG PLANT. (Solarium Melong&t^.} 



The Egg Plant, or Guinea Squash, is a tender annual 

 from Africa, introduced into England in 1597. It derives 

 its most common name from the white variety, which, when 

 small, bears a close resemblance to an egg. When first 

 introduced, it was not regarded with much favor, but is 

 now rapidly working into general esteem. 



Large Prickly-Stemmed Purple is the largest variety, 

 often growing to a diameter of eight inches, shape slightly 

 oval, and dark purple color. 



Long Purple is perhaps the best kind for family use, as 

 it is ten days earlier than the other varieties, and though 

 not growing so large, is very prolific in fruit. 



Striped Gaudeloupe is a variety the French cultivate, 

 which has a white fruit, striped and marbled with violet. 

 A large, white, edible variety has- just come into use in 

 Philadelphia. The New Scarlet, with tomato-shaped, 

 scarlet fruit, and the common White, are only grown for 

 ornament, not being considered wholesome. 



Culture. Egg plants require a light, loamy, rich soil, to 

 bring their fruit early to perfection. They like the soil 



