EGG PLANT (AUBERGINE)

Solatium Melongena, S. esculentum



In this country the Egg Plant is generally grown merely as an ornament,

but it is a delicious vegetable when sliced and fried in oil, the

purple-and black-fruited kinds being especially serviceable for the

table. The common white, which is best known, is fairly good when cooked

young, though less rich in flavour than the purple. The cultivation

recommended for Capsicum will suit the Egg Plant, but little atmospheric

moisture is needed or the seedlings may damp off. They are not well

adapted for planting out, although in a warm season they will fruit

freely under a sunny wall, and will grow in a gravel walk if helped at

first with a little good soil round the roots. If required in quantity

for the table, the purple variety may be grown in a frame from plants

raised on a hot-bed. Generally speaking, a few plants in pots are all

that are required where the fruit is not valued as an esculent.