50 



INDIGO. 



(Indigofera tinctoria.) 



The ft)llowing paper read before the Ceylon Agricultural Society 

 •on the possibility of producing natural Indigo to compete with the 

 synthetic dye is of especial interest for its latent possibilities. 



Synthetic Indigo is a bye-product of coal-tar and although 

 extensively used it has not entirely replaced the natural indigo. 



For silks and high class textile goods the natural dye is still pre- 

 ferred for its durability as a fast dye. 



As the indigotine, or blue colouring matter, varies with culti- 

 vation and preparation from 20 to 90% there does appear an oppor- 

 tunity for producing an improved standard dye. It is very probable 

 too, that in preparing the Indigo in the form of paste there is con- 

 siderable saving over solid or cube Indigo which is the result of 

 sterilizing. (Singularly, some years ago, great efforts were made in 

 Singapore to produce solid or stick Indigo which failed). 



Locally, the plant is grown from cuttings and not seeds, so that it 

 may improve the cultivated product if seeds were tried instead of 

 -cuttin;is. 



Formerly the cultivation was extensive but has gradually dwind- 

 led to almost nil, possibly due to a combination of causes. 



When Indigo was extensively cultivated in Java and Sumatra it 

 was known that its cultivation improved the soil for tobacco, sugar 

 and other crops. 



It certainly deserves careful experimental trials for green soiling 

 with rubber, but if intended as a Catch-crop, a good water supply is 

 essential and prospective crops assured before embarking on the 

 apparatus necessary for its preparations- 



R. D. 



Ceylon as an Indigo Country. 

 Interesting Paper. 



Baron Schrottky— then read an excellent paper entitled, "The 

 cultivation of Indigo in Ceylon," in which he said : — 



The object of the paper on Indigo, which you have permitted me 

 to read to you to-day, is to arouse interest in an industry which, for 

 some time past, has been considered moribund, if not dead. 



The natutal indigo industry, at one time one of the most pros- 

 perous industries in the East, has been practically^ ruined by the 

 competition of a synthetic dye. 



Adolf von Bayer discovered in 1880 a method of producing from 

 coal tar products a substance identical in every respect with indigo- 

 tine, the chief dyeing principle in the indigo of commerce, in which it 

 is found to the extent of about 60 per cent. 



The Badische Soda and aniline Fabrick acquired Bayer's patents, 

 and in 1897 brought into the maiket a synthetic indigotine at a price 



