LESSER KNOWN VEGETABLE!

Evening Star, Issue 23451, 16 December 1939, Page 6

LESSER KNOWN VEGETABLE!

CAPSICUM QR PEPPERS:; ; .Several Species of. capsicum are cultivated for their'seed pods, and are popularly, known as. chili-peppers. In a. green state they-are used in salads, pickles, and for making vinegar. When dried and ground they make a form of cayenne pepper. Seeds should be sown in boxes or seed pans during October, November, or. December. -Earlier sowvings may be ,made if set. in a hot bed,* When plants are. large enough to handle, prick off into, small > pots or shallow boxes. When about Gin high, bed out 18in apart in a warm, sunny; spot, and keep well mulched and watered during dry weather. The fruit ripens late in the autumn and may ba kept for three or four years in a dry spot. The seed'when kept in the pods remains good for five years; The plants are very ornamental. when _ the pods have coloured; and make ideal andt striking plants for garden decoration, EGG PLANT. This uncommon yet tasty dish is largely cultivated in all tropical, countries. It was first grown in the Middle Ages, and comes from Arabia and India. The fruits are eaten raw or cooked in the same manner as tomatoes; When fried in oil with pepper and salt they are excellent. Seeds should be sown io a warm spot as early, as possible, from September onwards. If bottom heal can be arranged so much the better, or, if the climate is colder, sowing may. need! to be delayed - until the right' climatic conditions prevail. The main thing is to get the plants started and kept growing until the fruit has formed. Set the seed in a box and cover with sandy soil. When the plants are large enough prick off the same as tomatoes into small boxes. They should be planted out 18in apart, with 2ft between rows. Water well in dry weather and keep continually hoed. _ Ai good method is to pinch out the side shoots and confine growth to the centre stem, similar to tomatoes. Allow four fruits to set on .each plant, and then pinch the rest off. If more are carried the fruit naturally will be smaller. There are several varieties grown, both long and round purple varieties, resembling a gigantic grape.