EGG PLANT 
39 
so many fruits are secured from plants grown in a 
small space, that they are really profitable. As a vege- 
table those who have lived in foreign parts are most 
partial to them, and they make a nice break in the 
ordinary supply of green foods ; and during the summer 
months many persons who have spare frames or pots 
could grow the Aubergine to advantage, and once grown 
they would, I feel sure, become favourites and always 
find a place. 
To get strong plants early it is well to sow seed in 
January or February in a warm house, giving the seeds 
bottom heat to cause rapid germination. In all cases at 
this time of year the plants should have a temperature 
of 65 to 70 degrees, and if bottom heat is not given there 
must be careful watering till the seedlings are through 
the soil. As soon as the plants have made two leaves 
they should be transferred to small pots, one in each, 
and grown near the light. In a short time, say three 
weeks or so, the plants will be ready for another shift, 
and may then be placed in 6-inch pots and grown on as 
before, finally potting into 8 or 9-inch pots. These latter 
are for fruiting in. The soil should be fairly rich ; that 
is, a good loam, to which should be added fertilisers or 
well-decayed manure, and this applies more to the later 
pottings than to the early. It is also important to keep 
the plants moving ; that is, at no time during their early 
stages of growth should they be allowed to get pot 
bound as this would cause a few stray fruits to set, and 
loss of crop. During the time the plants are maturing 
their fruits there should be liberal supplies of liquid 
manure, but this should be discontinued as soon as the 
fruits have attained their full size, or show signs of 
colouring. The plants should always be grown on a 
single leg or stem at the start, and when strong enough 
they should have the points taken out to cause a branched 
