The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-15
THE EGG PLANT
Gan Be Made Very Profitable Crop
by Southern Truckers.

Can Be Made Very Profitable Crop
by Southern Truckers.
This is a vegetable easy to grow; easy
~ shin. and should be profitable one.
4 II the egg plant were appreciated at its
trne worth tor its edible qualities there
wopId be a thousand raised and sold
where now there is only one. We be-
Heve it is a fact that very few persons,
i aven in the south, know how to prepare it
nronerlv for the table; and yet it is a
Vegetable appropriate for two meals
breakfast and dinner. For breakfast it is
IN he fried or broiled for dinner, fried or
baked, the latter being the most superior
4 vav 10 prepare it. AS postscript, we
4 viii give several recipes for serving the
egg plant. We purpose now to speak of
the mode of cultivation-and what we
NAV say will apply to any latitude, for
i the egg plant may be grown with more or
less success anywhere in this country,
certainly anywhere where the tomato is
grown.
In the first place. choosing a good vari-
etv, like the New York Improved, " and
securing seeds, so per cent. of which are
ferlie-you may be satisfied if you secure
seeds even of this quality. AS a rule the
seeds SlOQlu U6 SONh Ill GOlu lIdUlGS VI
hot beds in time to secure strong, Stocky
plants, ready to be put out in the open
4 ground as soon as the frosts are over, or
thought to be. In Middle Georgia the
4 bulk of the crop is set out about April
A l0-l5 small proportion earlier than
this In South Georgia the plants are
put out somewhat earlier than this; in
Florida much earlier. -......
Those who have had an extended expe-
renee in egg plant culture, need not be
4 told that the chief obstacle to be met
with in growing the plants is the fee
beetle-a very small jumping beetle that
3 appears to be present in every garden,
especially in the south. Where one at
tempts to grow the plants in
frames in the level ground if ne
n is not very watchful with a good insecti-
eide Immediately to hand this little beetle
will destroy every plant in a week after
they come up. While with the aid of
q Bubach or clay dust tainted with kero-
sine, plants may be grown in the level
ground lin frames). We have always pre-
\ ferred to take the precaution of growing
the plants in frames elevated or feet
above the soil. 1t is very little trouble to
make such frame, and it insureS the
success of the effort. This elevated frame
SXb, is put in order with US in February
II
\ the seed; the sash is put on and kept on,
d leaving little crack open at the front
4 for any insects to hop out or crawl out
and fall to the ground before the seeds
are sOwn. ABOUT inches of good soil is
put into the frames, allowing Tor inches
space for the plants to grow in. The soil
being leveed and thoroughly saturated
with water the frames have holes bored
In the bottom for draiuagel just prior to
sowing seeds. Shallow drills are drawn
with your finger or with stick and the
seeds sown thickly along in them; COW
cred lightly with a little fine, dry soil,
which is pressed firmly to the seeds with
Inc hand or with a board. The glass is
then put on. In due time the young plants
appear and the soil Is lightly stirred. AS
soon as the young plants get well into the
ulrd leaf about half of them are pricked
OUT and tranSplanted to another frame
elevated like the first, though if care is
taken they can be transferred to a frame
On the ground. They are set at dis
lance of SKA or AKA inches and are allowed
10 get stocky by the time it is safe to put
out IN the open ground.
Nhlle the plants are being grown the
SOL IS put in good condition with pillow
ana harrows. The place is marked with
garden roller to receive the plants and
ID the center of the track 1--WE use a ~
men roller the plants are set 20 TO feet
apart. The distance between the rows is
DOR ~ feet. About 1000 plants are set
70 me acre. Anywhere from 10000 to.
4GVOO eggs" is the probable and posi-
SoIe yield, according as the land may be
larry rich or very rich. We have had
pants TO mature 10 marketable eggs
ulI inns IS much above the average of
"GdV the 1000 plants will produce.
supplying market where a knowledge
y. ana taste for the eggplantis extensive,
sLLyWlng the crop should be very profit
auIe part of the market gardeners bust
NESS Any land that will produce to-
aaJoes proitably will do the same with
esgPants. Yet the latter will do better
VI VI, d SOIL rich in humus or decaying Vege-
~Oe matter than tomatoes will. In
smaaIurlng for elephants avoid using any
aauA untermented manure just under or
ooOqt the plants Such manure, if used
~ ~ ali' should be applied as top dressing
w. oe gradually worked in. Bone dust
sAuely ground bone) is an unsurpassed
-orm OF fertilizer for elephants
dS Ior anything else). If it is har-
lived INTO the soil six or eight weeks in
eeuFance Of planting it will be all the be
ra. 10 supply potash, rotted (blt
iGy Ieached) hard wood ashes or the
i i,Ae OF cotton seed hulls can be used or
s AaiAlt or other potash salts may be sub
ppuvuJed. If kainit is used apply 800
tt;U1nus broadcast about the time of set
r caig out. The soil should be deeply pre-
p p',. and allowed to settle some before
r pTIIIlng out the plants or as suggested use
songF Just before transplanting. On light,
SANDY soil this is important. Not so much
Io On heavier soils. The cultivation should
o 9v lhiaiLow, giving it promptly and fire.
ggiGeuIIy' If, perchance, any insects infest
r ri.i after being set out, dust them
s a.yn ouoach, or clay tainted with kero-
tbaM.e believe the foregoing embody all
p rIa1 need be said about growing egg