VEGETABLES DESCRIPTION AND CULTURE. 337 



potato, which it may possibly rival in esteem wherever 

 labor is cheap and it is desirable to obtain a large amount 

 of food on a little space. 



The other yams (Dioscorca 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 

 supported by a stake or pole. 



D. aculeata sometimes g 

 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 for- 

 warding them in pots 

 upon hot-beds have been 

 grown in Europe as far 

 north as Paris. 



EGGPLANT. 



(Solatium melon gen a, var. 



esculentum.) 

 The Eggplant, or 

 Guinea Squash, is a ten- 

 der annual from Africa, 

 introduced into England 

 in 1597. It derives its Fig " 122 ~ New Jersey Improved Large 



Purple Eggplant. 



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. 



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. 

 22 



