SOUTH CAROLINA 157 



negroes almost the only food. The lands of our host, 

 being - dryer and sandier, were not suitable for the 

 culture of rice ; therefore he occupies himself chiefly 

 with Indigo. 



They have sundry varieties of indigo; but in this 

 flat, sandy region that which is best and most profitable 

 is called, to distinguish it from the other sorts, ' false 

 Guatimala or ' true Bahama.' It does well on soil of 

 a moderate fertility, but if circumstances allow, new 

 land is used or that previously dunged. A few pre- 

 pare the land for indigo by green manuring, that is, 

 they put on very thin seedings of oats or wheat, and 

 when nearly ripe turn in horses and cattle to eat it off 

 and firm it together. 



The seed is planted after the first rainy weather in 

 March or April, in rows 1^-2 ft. apart, the plant 

 growing almost that high. When towards the begin- 

 ning of July the lowermost leaves grow yellow and 

 begin to fall, and the blooms commence opening, the 

 plant is regarded as ripe for cutting, which is done a 

 second time about the end of August, and if it is a 

 warm fall a third cutting may be had towards the end 

 of September. In order that the work of cutting may 

 be done forehandedly, and not hurried on account of 

 the quantity to be handled at any one time, fields are 

 sown so as to come in at distinct intervals. The 

 plant should not grow over-ripe. Indigo-fields re- 

 quire much attention, and must be diligently kept 

 clean of caterpillars and weeds. Some 20 negroes 

 are necessary to look after a plantation of 50 acres of 

 indigo land and prepare the indigo, over and above 

 what must be done in raising what they themselves 

 and the planter's household need. In cutting and 



