856 FLOBISTS' FLOWEES. 



Egg Plant [Solanum ovigerum). 



This species of Solanum is an annual, and is grown for its 

 singular and very ornamental fruits, whicli resemble, both in 

 size, colour, and shape, the eggs of the inhabitants of our 

 poultry-yards. The seeds should be sown in March, and 

 placed in the stove or a gentle hot-bed ; when the seedlings 

 are large enough to handle, pot them singly, using a mixture 

 of peat, loam, and thoroughly decomposed manure, in about 

 equal parts ; keep them growing in heat and close to the 

 glass, shifting into larger-sized pots as the old ones fill with 

 roots, and give occasional waterings with liquid manure. 

 After the fruit is set, they may be removed into the 

 greenhouse and conservatory, where their singular fruits 

 will be very attractive and interesting. There are purple, 

 black, yellow, and red varieties of this plant. Native of 

 Arabia. 



Fuchsia. 



The grace and elegance Of the flowers of the species and 

 varieties of this genus are well known to every one. The 

 improvements which have been brought about by cross- 

 breeding, both in regard to the size and form of the flowers, 

 is really wonderful. The soil best suited for the culture of 

 these plants is a mixture of half good yellow loam, the other 

 half well-decomposed manure and good leaf mould, to which 

 may be added a portion of silver or sharp river sand. 

 Fuchsias may be propagated by seed or cuttings ; the former 

 will give fresh varieties, but the latter is the system which 

 all growers adopt to maintain their stock, either for home 

 decoration or public exhibition. The cuttings should be 

 taken oif about the beginning of March (from old plants 

 which have been placed in heat to induce them to push out 



