480 



MANUAL OF GARDENING 



leaves may be improved by blanching them, either by the use of boards 

 or earth. One trade packet of seed will supply a sufficient number for 

 a family. The whole plant is destroyed when the crop of leaves is 

 taken. 



The seed may be selected from the best field-grown plants, but it 

 is better to buy the French seed of the seedsmen. 



Egg-plant. — The egg-plant or guinea squash has never become 

 a popular home-garden product in the North. In the South it is better 

 known. 



Unless one has a greenhouse or a very warm hotbed, the growing 



of egg-plants in the North should be left to the professional gardener, 



as the young plants are very tender, and should be grown without a 



check. The seed should be sown in 



the hotbed or the greenhouse about 



April 10, keeping a temperature of 65° 



to 70°. When the seedlings have made 



three rough leaves, they may be pricked 



out into shallow boxes, or, still better, 



into 3-inch pots. The pots or boxes 



should be plunged to the rim in soil in 



a hotbed or coldframe so situated that 



protection may be given on chilly 



^-^^r5^^#^;-'^' nights. The 10th of June is early 



^ " enough to plant them out in central 



307. Black Pekin egg-plant. ° ^ . ^ 



^ New York. 



The soil in which egg-plants are to grow cannot well be made too 

 "quick," as they have only a short season in which to develop 

 their fruits. The plants are usually set 3 feet apart each way. A 

 dozen plants are sufficient for the needs of a large family, as each 

 plant should yield from two to six large fruits. The fruits are fit 

 to eat at all stages of growth, from those the size of a large egg to 

 their largest development. One ounce of seed will furnish 600 to 800 

 plants. 



The New York Improved Purple is the standard variety. Black 

 Pekin (Fig. 307) is good. For early, or for a short-season cKmate, 

 the Early Dwarf Purple is excellent. 



