62 
THOMAS JEFFERSON PLANTED LANDRETHS’ SEEDS AT MONTICELLO 
EGG PLANT 
Egg Plant is a native of Africa, years ago in the Southern States called “Guinea Squash” 
One Oz. of Seed Will Provide Enough Plants for One-Eighth of an Acre 
Matures for Table in About 125 Days After Sprouting 
Seed breaks ground in 9 days. One inch high in 12 days 
under most favorable circumstances in greenhouse 
In this fruit, we have one of the finest for the garden on the market. Plants are a little difficult to raise, 
owing to the fact that the seed germinates slowly and should always be started in a hotbed, or on a window 
ledge in the house. After the plants show two rough leaves they should be transplanted 3 to 4 inches apart 
to give them room to develop, so that after they have gotten sturdy they can be planted in the open garden. 
If the ground is rich with proper fertilizer, with care it will not be difficult to produce first-class fruit five 
to six inches in diameter. 
About 5000 plants are required to set an acre. The plants will produce an average of 4 to 5 fruit—• 
sometimes 10—-weighing 5 to 6 pounds. Our selection of seed is taken from the best fruit that can be grown 
and we have no hesitancy in recommending our seed as unsurpassed. Years ago, the vines of all varieties 
of Egg Plant had spines, or thorns, but by constant selection, fhe growth of all Spines has been eliminated. 
Black Beauty—125 Days 
This variety is earlier than the Landreths’ Large 
Round Purple, but it is slightly smaller. Owing to 
the fact that the color is black, and it does not lose 
its color it is very popular. Do not confuse the 
Black Beauty with the old Black Pekin as it is twice 
as large. Height of vine 28 to 34 in. 
LANDRETHS’ LARGE ROUND PURPLE—130 
Days 
This selection is decidedly the best type of Egg 
Plant that we have been able to secure after many 
years of selection. It is productive and vigorous, 
the fruit often reaching a weight of 10 to 12 pounds. 
Fruit may be described as chunky, broad at the 
bottom, and flattened—-diameter nearly equal to 
the length. Color when grown on soil of proper 
quality a deep purple, often appearing almost black, 
although not as black as the Black Beauty. The 
soil has much to do with the depth of color. Single 
bushes of this variety on good soil often reach a 
diameter of three feet, and produce 8 to 10 large fruit. 
New York Purple—130 Days 
This is probably the oldest and best known variety 
on the market today. It is early and produces four 
to six very large fruit of excellent quality. The 
fruit is better if grown on a sandy loam and should 
be planted accordingly if possible. 
Florida High Bush—130 Days 
We cannot recommend this variety nearly as highly 
as we do the Landreths’ Large Round Purple, or 
Black Beauty, although it is very popular in some 
sections. The fruit is not as large nor as round as 
the New York Improved. Vines 26 to 32 inches, 
more vigorous, and a continuous bearer. 
Pkt. Oz. X lb. Lb. 
Black Beauty .05 .40 1.35 4.50 
Florida High Bush .05 .40 1.35 4.50 
Large Round Purple .05 .40 1.35 4.50 
New York Purple .05 .40 1.35 4.50 
Landreths’ Large Round Purple 
VITALITY TESTS 
Every season in our Greenhouses we 
make about fifty thousand tests in earth 
of the Germination and Vitality of the 
Seeds used in filling orders. Tests are made 
of each lot of Seed received at the Ware¬ 
house, no matter from what source, and 
repeated again three months later. All 
these tests are entered in a separate 
vitality book, which is consulted before 
the Seeds are shipped. These seedlings 
are allowed to grow to a height of two 
inches or more before counting to make 
sure that all are strong enough to continue 
growing. 
