CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
343 
They stand shipment well, but should be handled with 
care so there will lie no bruising. Wrapping in attrac- 
tive paper containing the name and the address of the 
grower is an effective means of advertising. The paper 
gives some protection to the fruits during transporta- 
tion. The yields are much heavier in the warmer sec- 
tions where the summers are long. With fairly advan- 
tageous conditions two or three specimens to the plant 
will give a satisfactory return. The development of 
additional specimens is sometimes prevented by remov- 
ing the flower buds or blossoms. Such restriction pos- 
sesses the greatest value where both soil and climate are 
unfriendly to this extremely tender vegetable. Egg- 
plants are shipped in barrels, hampers and crates. There 
should be careful grading in order that the largest profits 
may be realized. 
460. Enemies. — This vegetable has a number of ene- 
mies which become sometimes serious. Potato beetles 
are very fond of the plants. It is often necessary to 
protect the plants from flea beetles, cut worms and 
aphides. There are various forms of fungous diseases 
which may be controlled by spraying with bordeaux mix- 
ture. Wilt is controlled by rotation and resistant strains. 
ENDIVE (Cichonum Endiva) 
461. Importance. — This plant, which is probably native 
to East India, is produced more extensively for Euro- 
pean than for American markets. It is not generally 
grown in the home gardens of the United States. In the 
cities it is consumed mainly by the foreign population, 
although the general demand is increasing. It is an an- 
nual, and, being hardy to frost, it is grown mainly as a 
late fall or early winter crop and used principally for 
salad purposes. The cut, curled and frilled leaves are 
very ornamental when fully blanched and are frequently 
