144 EGG PLAiras. 



When the plants have been treated as directed 

 (for the latitude of New York), they may be trans- 

 planted into the open ground by the 20th of May. 

 They require a deep, rich soil, well worked. We set 

 the plants three feet apart each way, and sprinkle 

 some superphosphate or some finely-ground bone im- 

 mediately around the roots at the time of planting. 

 Each plant is taken from the bed with a square of 

 earth around the roots. The afternoon before trans- 

 planting, the plants are copiously watered, so that the 

 soil will adhere to the roots. Then, with a long- 

 bladed knife to cut through on either side, each 

 plant is removed without disturbing the roots. The 

 plants are placed on a wheel-barrow, and taken 

 where they are to be set out. 



It is important to use all this care, for, unless all 

 the conditions are just right, Egg Plants are very tar- 

 dy in starting, and with the market-gardener this is a 

 matter of dollars and cents. When they first come 

 into market they usiially bring two dollars per dozen ; 

 later, the price goes down to seventy-five cents or one 

 dollar a dozen. 



The ground should be hoed frequently, kept loose 

 and free from weeds. Plants that grow to full size 

 will average from seven to nine eggs to a plant, of 

 the " New York Improved." Two or three dozen 

 plants will give an abundance of eggs for a family 

 of six or eight persons. 



Vaeieties. — There are four or five kinds of Egg 

 Plants, but only one or two are worthy of cultivation 

 for market. 



New Yokk Improved. — ^With an experience in 



