CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 343 



They stand shipment well, but should be handled with 

 care so there will be no bruising. Wrapping in attrac- 

 tive paper containing the name and the address of the 

 grower is an efifective means of advertising. The paper 

 gives some protection to the fruits during transporta- 

 tion. The yields are much heavier in the warmer sec- 

 tions where the summers are long. With fairly advan- 

 tageous conditions two or three specimens to the plant 

 will give a satisfactory return. The development of 

 additional specimens is sometimes prevented by remov- 

 ing the flower buds or blossoms. Such restriction pos- 

 sesses the greatest value where both soil and climate are 

 unfriendly to this extremely tender vegetable. Egg- 

 plants are shipped in barrels, hampers and crates. There 

 should be careful grading in order that the largest profits 

 may be realized. 



460. Enemies. — This vegetable has a number of ene- 

 mies which become sometimes serious. Potato beetles 

 are very fond of the plants. It is often necessary to 

 protect the plants from flea beetles, cut worms and 

 aphides. There are various forms of fungous diseases 

 which may be controlled by spraying with bordeaux 

 mixture. 



ENDIVE (Cichorium Endiva) 



461. Importance. — This plant, which is probably native 

 to East India, is produced more extensively for Euro- 

 pean than for American markets. It is not generally 

 grown in the home gardens of the United States. In the 

 cities it is consumed mainly by the foreign population, 

 although the general demand is increasing. It is an an- 

 nual, and, being hardy to frost, it is grown mainly as a 

 late fall or early winter crop and used principally for 

 salad purposes. The cut, curled and frilled leaves are 

 v^ry ornamental when fully hlajiched and are frequently 



