GARDEN YARD 180 
even in the hot-bed, the yield is seriously re- 
duced. For this reason, growers often start 
it in two-inch or three-inch flower pots, or 
in old, small berry baskets, as it is less likely 
to suffer a check when transplanted to the gar- 
den. Eggplants do not need so much moisture 
as peas or cool-season crops, and whatever fer- 
tilizer is applied must be quickly available. Per- 
fect tillage is necessary from first to last. 
Eggplants are set in rows far enough apart to 
admit of horse-tillage, from 34 to 4 feet apart, 
and two to four feet apart in the rows, accord- 
ing to the variety of plant grown. The fruits 
are fit to eat when they have reached one-third 
their full size, and are desirable until they are 
fully ripe, when they lose their value as food. 
Although the fruit may be left on the plant 
until fully grown, a larger crop is secured by 
picking before their full size is reached. For 
market, however, they must be well colored. 
The large varieties such as New York Improved 
and the Black Pekin bring the highest prices 
in the market, but it is difficult to grow them to 
perfection in the Northern States because of 
the short season. Some of the dwarfs, notably 
the Early Dwarf Purple, are more desirable. 
White eggplants are not popular, because they 
are usually an ugly yellow, while the striped and 
