340 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
Improved. The fruits ripen about io days earlier, ar«* 
darker in color, and attain a size sufficient to satisfy 
market requirements. 
Black Pekin has been grown commercially for many 
years, although it is not so popular in recent years as 
Black Beauty and New York Improved. 
Early Long Purple and Early Dwarf Purple are 
probably the earliest and hardiest of all varieties in cul- 
tivation. They are especially adapted to the cooler parts 
of the North, where the larger varieties do not succeed 
so well. The fruits of the former are 9 to 10 inches lone. 
Ivory is a white-fruited variety originated by Dr. B. 
D. Halstead of the New Jersey Experiment Station. The 
fruits are beautiful and nearly seedless. The white 
varieties are much more popular in Europe than in 
America. 
451. Climatic requirements. — On account of its ex- 
treme tenderness this vegetable is produced to best 
advantage in southern sections, because it requires 
higher temperatures than any other vegetable grown in 
the United States. Cool nights and short summers are 
very unfavorable to satisfactory yields. Because of the 
subtropical character of the plant, special care must 
be exercised in most sections to secure satisfactory 
results. 
452. Soil. — It is generally conceded that warm sandy 
soils are best adapted to eggplants. Good crops are 
seldom grown in clay soils except under the most favor- 
able climatic conditions. It is important that the soil 
be deep, rich and well drained. A liberal amount of de- 
caying vegetable matter is essential to the largest re- 
turns. Southern exposures should have the preference. 
453. Source of seed. — Only about 25 per cent of the 
eggplant seed used in the United States is imported, the 
seed being grown in the various sections where soil and 
climatic conditions are satisfactory. The saving of seeds 
