The Eggplant 



271 



they be well colored in order to find sale in the market, 

 and usually, also, the fruits of fair or rather large size 

 sell best. In the Northernmost States the gardener is sat- 

 isfied if he averages two or three good fruits to a plant of 

 the large varieties. 



The fruits are large and heavy, and they should be. 

 handled w i t h care 

 even though they are 

 not perishable as are 

 tomatoes. They may 

 be cut from the plants 

 with a knife, the large 

 calyx being left on the 

 fruit. They are usu- 

 ally handled in crates ; 

 in special cases, indi- 

 vidual fruits are 

 wrapped. 



The New York Im- 

 proved, the Black Pe- 

 kin and Black Beauty 

 are leading commer- 

 cial types. Good-sized 

 marketable fruits of 

 these varieties are 6 to 

 9 inches in diameter. Unless started very early and given 

 a warm place and quick soil, however, these varieties are 

 not likely to yield much before frost in the most northern 

 States. In these short-season climates, some of the dwarf 

 varieties, particularly the Early Dwarf Purple, are to be 

 advised. The white eggplants are not popular, since the 



159. Eggplant of the improved purple type (Black 

 Beauty) (X M,). 



