340 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



Improved. The fruits ripen about lo days earlier, are 

 darker in color, and attain a size sufficient to satisfy 

 market requirements. 



Black Pekin has been grown commercially for many 

 years, although it is not so popular in recent years as 

 Black Beauty and New York Improved. 



Early Long Purple is probably the earliest and hardi- 

 est of all varieties in cultivation. It is especially adapted 

 to the cooler parts of the North, where the larger varie- 

 ties do not succeed so well. The fruits are purple and 

 9 to 10 inches long. 



Ivory is a white-fruited variety originated by Dr. B. 

 D. Halstead of the New Jersey Experiment Station. The 

 fruits are beautiful and nearly seedless. The white 

 varieties are much more popular in Europe than in 

 America. 



451. Climatic requirements. — On account of its ex- 

 treme tenderness this vegetable is produced to best 

 advantage in southern sections, because it requires 

 higher temperatures than any other vegetable grown in 

 the United States. Cool nights and short summers are 

 very unfavorable to satisfactory yields. Because of the 

 subtropical character of the plant, special care must 

 be exercised in most sections to secure satisfactory 

 results. 



452. Soil. — It is generally conceded that warm sandy 

 soils are best adapted to eggplants. Good crops are 

 seldom grown in clay soils except under the most favor- 

 able climatic conditions. It is important that the soil 

 be deep, rich and well drained. A liberal amount of de- 

 caying vegetable matter is essential to the largest re- 

 turns. Southern exposures should have the preference. 



453. Source of seed. — Only about 25 per cent of the 

 eggplant seed used in the United States is imported, the 

 seed being grown in the various sections where soil and 

 climatic conditions are satisfactory. The saving of seeds 



