CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
339 
early in the spring in rows a foot or more apart and 
thinned to 6 or 8 inches. 
EGGPLANT (Solanum melongena) 
448. History and importance. — The eggplant is thought 
to have been originated in the East Indies, although there 
is no definite information concerning its early history. 
It is generally grown in tropical countries, and is an im- 
portant vegetable in the United States. The southern 
and south Atlantic states, New Jersey and California, 
grow large quantities for commercial purposes. In the 
cooler regions of the North it is often grown in the home 
gardens, but seldom in commercial plantations. The 
market demand is increasing. 
449. Botany and uses. — The eggplant is an erect, 
branching, tender annual. The leaves are entire, oblong 
and grayish-green. The violet-colored flowers are soli- 
tary in the axils of the branches, shortly stalked and 
monopetalous ; calyx often spiny, becoming larger as the 
fruit develops. The fruits are variable in shape, color 
and size, and are ready to use when one-third grown, 
continuing to be edible until fully mature. When the 
seeds begin to harden, the flesh loses its tenderness and 
delicious qualities. The fruits are usually sliced and 
fried. 
450. Varieties. — There are three distinct colors of egg- 
plants ; namely, black, purple and white. Black-fruited 
varieties find most ready sale; purple-fruited sorts are 
attractive in appearance, but the smaller size of the 
specimens is objectionable from the market standpoint; 
white varieties are seldom seen on the market. 
New York Improved is one of the most popular and 
largely grown of purple sorts. The fruits are large, well 
shaped and very attractive. 
Black Beauty is an improvement over the New York 
