STOKES SEED FARMS COMPANY 



MOORESTOWN 



NEW JERSEY 



BLACK BEAUTY (x 1/3) 



Eggplant 



(Solanum Melongena) 



History — Of tropical origin. Vilmorin definitely cred- 

 ited South America, Bailey, however, placing it in the 

 East Indies. Since the reports of its use as a vegetable 

 come after the discovery of America, and owing to its simi- 

 larity to tomato and pepper, both of which are definitelj' 

 traced to South America, we are inclined to give Vilmorin 

 credit for being right. The fact that it is called Guana 

 Squash adds further e%ddence that it is a New World dish, 

 as does the fact that it has been so well known as a vege- 

 table amongst the West Indies since the discovery. Gerard 

 in the first edition of his Herbal (1596) shows distinctly 

 that, although eggplant was known in England at the 

 time, it was not considered to have edible qualities. He 

 states, "I rather wish Englishmen to content themselves 

 with the meate and sauce of our ovra countrj' than with 

 fruit and sauce eaten with such perill : for doubtless these 

 apples have a mischeevous quality; the use thereof is 

 utterly to be forsaken." To which Philhps (1822) adds: 

 "With this caution we cannot be surprised that tie egg- 

 plant should ha:ve been in our gardens for 220 years with- 

 out reaching our tables." Eggplant has been cultivated 

 in America for less than a century. 



NEW YORK PURPLE (i 1/3) 



There are not many distinct varieties of eggplant under cultiva- 

 tion. The two we list, viz., Black Beauty and New York Purple, 

 are undoubtedh' in greatest demand in this coimtry. The Early 

 Long Purple, the older Black Pekin, the Early Dwarf Purple, and 

 the numerous white varieties are not in large demand. There 

 are one or two white. eggplants as used in Europe which are un- 

 doubtedly of exceptionally fine quality as table sorts, and it seems 

 more than probable that we shall offer one of these in 1921. 



No. 350. Black Beauty. Days to Maturity, 125. Intro- 

 duced by Burpee in 1902, no doubt having been a selection from 

 the earlier Black Pekin as known in this countrj- about the time 

 of the Civil War. Hovey, of Boston, listed it as a ''new" variety 

 in 1869. This variety is very proUfic, bearing well-rounded fruits 



The 



almost egg-shaped. They will average eight inches in length, 

 color is a rich dark purphsh black. 



Pkt. 10^, oz. 50^, H lb. S1.50, lb. S6.00, 5 lbs. S27.50, postpaid; 

 by express, 5 lbs. or more, $5.40 per lb. 



No. 352. New York Purple. Days to M.^turity, 140. Listed 

 by B. K. Bliss in 1860. It will produce matured fruit about two 

 weeks after Black Beauty. The outside color is considerably lighter 

 than the Black Beauty and the shape, as shown in the illustration, 

 is quite different, the blossom end being much flatter and the whole 

 effect more triangular than globe_shaped. 



Pkt. 10^, oz. 50fi, }4 lb. S1.50, lb. S6.00, 5 lbs. $27.50, postpaid; 

 by express, 5 lbs. or more, $5.40 per lb. 



WHITE CURLED (x 1/5) 



No. 362. White Curled. D.\ys to M.\turity, 100. One of 

 the oldest varieties used in this country. It was offered as White 

 Curled Indive by Minton Collins, of Richmond, Virginia, in 1793. 

 A variety sometimes referred to as Giant Fringed. The very light 

 yellowish color of the outer leaves, which rapidly blanch to an 

 attractive creamy white, distinguishes this variety from the Green 

 Curled. The heads will average fifteen inches across, and will prove 

 of excellent eating qualitj'. 



Pkt. 5^, oz. lOi, }4 lb. 30^, lb. $1.00, 5 lbs. $4.50, postpaid; by 

 express, 5 lbs. or more, 80i per lb. 



P^'PI ^ I {Cichorium Endivia) 



History — Probably a native of the East Indies, placed by some, 

 however, as indigenous to Egj^jt. In the latter place they aa-e called 

 the wild endive cichorium, hence the confusion between this and the 

 chicorj-, or French endive. The vegetable is mentioned by Ovid, 

 Columella, Horace and Pliny. The latter states the plant was eaten 

 both as a pot herb and a salad by the Romans. It was supposed to 

 have had strong medicinal qualities, and was used with telling effect 

 by the ancient magicians. Endive was introduced into England 

 apparently in 1548, during the reign of Edward tht. Sixth. Gerard 

 speaks of it and tells how it was preserved for winter use in the time 

 of Queen Elizabeth. By 1822, according to Phillips, there were eight 

 varieties cultivated in England. 



No. 360. Endive, Green Curled. D.\ys to M.^turity, 100. 

 Listed bj^ Booth, of Baltimore, in 1810, and catalogued now by practi- 

 cally every seedsman in this countrj'. It is sometimes called Alammoth 

 Green Curled. The rosette head will average fifteen inches across. 

 It is beautifully cut and divided, which, with its rich dark-green color, 

 gives it a beautiful appearance. The center blanches very rapidly 

 to a rich golden-white. This sort is thought highly of for home gai'den 

 or market use, and is used largely for salad. 



Pkt. 5c, oz. \Qi, yi lb. 30^, lb. Sl.OO, 5 lbs. $4.50, postpaid; by 

 express, 5 lbs. or more, 80(f per lb. 



1 



No. 364. Broad-Leaved Batavian. Days to M.\ttjrity, 100. 

 Offered by Russell, of Boston, in 1828. Often sold under the name 

 of Escarolle. The heads of this variety will be slightly smaller in 

 diameter than the other two which we carr}^ The leaves are toothed 

 at the edges and more or less twisted, but they are not finely cut as 

 are Green and White Curled. It is a variety which is easily blanched 

 if tied properly at the proper time. The inner leaves are wonderfully 

 tender and crisp, making a most delicious salad. This variety is in 

 larger demand than any other endives cultivated in this country. 



Pkt. H, oz. M lb. 30(f, lb. $1.00, 5 lbs. $4.50, postpaid; by 

 express, 5 lbs. or more, SOj^ per lb. 



44 



See Pages 104-105 and note reasonable prices on plants of eggplant 



