916 
Under the direction of Cornell University 
this state began work in 1898. It now 
has a membership of 75,000 boys and 
girls in its clubs, and has for its official 
organ the Cornell Rural School Leaf- 
let, that goes to 7,000 teachers. Ne- 
braska began this work in 1905, devot- 
ing its chief energy to the growing and 
the cooking of corn, under directions and 
recipes sent from the State University. 
In the counties, and finally for the 
state, with a “corn banquet,” bringing 
together 2,000 to 3,000 boys and girls 
from all over the commonwealth. The 
county superintendents of Winnebago 
county, IlHinois, and Keokuk county, 
Iowa, have made national reputations 
in this work. 
An agricultural club may be organ- 
ized in a single school, and may do en- 
thusiastic work. It is larger and bet- 
ter for the whole county to undertake it. 
Ambitious county superintendents’ of 
schools in the rural regions have an in- 
spiring opportunity for usefulness in 
this field. There should be means pro- 
vided for public displays of the results 
of competition. There should be some 
periodical to knit the organization to- 
gether. There should be some leader who 
can travel about among the different 
clubs encouraging them and telling them 
what their fellows are doing. Doubtless 
the time will come when the superin- 
tendents and teachers of agricultural 
counties will be chosen for enthusiasm 
and skill in this very kind of work. 
There is a fascinating field lying ready, 
a field for fame as well as for the high- 
est service to the state. 
| EDWARD HYATT, 
California State Superintendent of Schools. 
Egg Plant 
The egg plant is a native of the warm 
countries, but has become adapted to al- 
most all parts of the United States. Pro- 
fessor Beattie describes its cultivation 
as follows: 
The plants for this crop should be 
started and handled in the same man- 
ner as for the _ tomato. After the 
weather has become settled and _ the 
ground quite warm, set the plants in the 
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE 
garden in rows 38 feet apart and 2 feet 
apart in the row. The soil best adapted 
to the production of egg plant is a fine, 
rich sandy loam and should be well drain- 
ed. Cultivate freely and keep the plants 
growing rapidly. Many growers believe 
Egg Plant. 
—Masated Photo. 
that fresh stable manure should not be 
used in connection with the growing of 
egg plant and that the land should not 
contain unfermented vegetable matter to 
any extent. 
Egg plant is used in several ways, 
among which are the following: Peel 
and cut into slices one-half inch thick, 
soak in salt water one hour; boil until 
tender; then coat with rolled crackers or 
flour and fry in butter or fat. Another 
method is to steam or bake the egg plant 
whole and serve in the shell, the pulp be- 
ing eaten with salt, pepper and butter. 
Varieties 
Black Beauty, Early Long Purple, 
Early Dwarf Purple. 
EGG PLANT DISEASES 
‘Anthracnose 
Gloeosporium melongenae, Ell & Hals. 
The anthracnose fungus of egg plant 
attacks the fruits of egg plant and causes 
