MISCELLANEOUS VEGETABLES 365 
it is desired to force the crop. A few coils of pipe will 
provide the required amount of heat for this hardy plant. 
EGGPLANT 
It is a simple matter to grow the eggplant under glass. 
For many years it has been forced in private establish- 
ments, and it has attracted attention occasionally for its 
business possibilities. The spring crop—the fruits being 
harvested during the months of May, June and July— 
seems to be the most promising as a business venture, 
largely because weather conditions at this season are 
more favorable for the production of a crop that requires 
plenty of sunshine. 
Any of the varieties may be grown under glass, but the 
large, purple-fruited type is the most desirable. New 
York Improved is probably one of the best varieties for 
greenhouse culture. 
In the spring of the year a little more time is required 
from seed sowing to ripened fruit than is needed for the 
tomato. Seed sown February 1 should produce plants in 
full bearing in June. 
The plants require a large amount of heat, fully as 
much as cucumbers, throughout the period of growth. 
Night temperatures should never be below 65 degrees 
and day temperatures with sunshine may run up to 80 
degrees or higher if the ventilators are open. Cold drafts 
and sudden changes in temperature should be carefully 
avoided, for unchecked growth is one of the most 
important factors in producing a successful crop. 
The seed may be sown in flats or in a warm bed, and 
in about four weeks the plants should be set in 2!4-inch 
pots. As soon as the pots become well filled with roots 
the plants should be shifted to 4 or 5-inch pots and later 
to the beds, space between plants being 2 feet apart each 
way. Raised benches with bottom heat should be used 
