Eggplant 



407 



known in early times, and call it the Ethiopian eggplant. The 

 Ethiopian eggplant is a coarse plant three feet high, with large 

 lobed leaves and the stems, petioles and midribs armed with strong 

 and very sharp spines a half inch long. The small white flowers 

 are usually borne in clusters of two to six. The fruit is small, 

 rarely much exceeding 2 inches in diameter, bright scarlet or 

 yellow and conspicuously lobed after the manner of the old Early 

 Red tomato. We have grown two types of this plant, one of 

 strong upright growth with purple stems, petioles and midribs, 



Fig. 128. Seedlings of red pepper, or capsicum. Natural size. 



the other of spreading habit and lighter color. The species is 

 only curious and ornamental, the fruits not being eaten. 



Two or three obscure fungous diseases attack the eggplant in 

 the South, for which the only treatment is to practice rotation and 

 to destroy the affected plants. The potato bug often attacks egg- 

 plants. Use Paris green, 1 pound to 75-100 gallons of water, and 

 plenty of lime. 



For account of leaf spot, see N. J. Rept., 1890, p. 355. Use 

 Bordeaux spray. 



