On the Cultival'wn and Manufacture of IVoad. 333 



and insects, which are destructive to vegetation. All this 

 is favourable to corn; but I am disposed to believe that woad 

 in itielf furnishes such a principle of change in favour of 

 corn (and wheat in particular), as in a high degree to merit 

 the attention of that Society who are so honourably united 

 to promote and encourage the first interests of the British 

 empire. 



Having said all I conceive necessary on the cultivation of 

 woad, 1 now proceed to say something on its preparation 

 for the use of the dyer. 



Woad, when gathered, is carried to the mill, and ground. 

 I need not describe this mill, becaiise they are to be seen in 

 open sheds in several parts of England, oulv that 1 conceive 

 some improvement might be made in their construction, so 

 as not so much to press out aud waste the sap, which con- 

 tains the very essence of the dyeing principle. These mills 

 grind or cut the leaves small, and then they are cast into 

 heaps, where they ferment, and gain an adhesive consist- 

 ence*; they are then formed into balls, as compact as 

 possible, and placed on hurdles lying horizontally in a shed 

 one over the other, with room for air between, to receive 

 Irom the atmospheric air a principle which is said to im- 

 prove them as a dye, as well as to dry them to a degree pro- 

 per for being fermented ; but in summer these balls are apt 

 to crack in drying, and become fly-blown, when thousands 

 of a peculiar maggot generate, and eat or destroy all that 

 is useful to the dyer. Therefore they require attention as 

 soon as any are observed to crack, to look them all over 

 well, close them again, so as to render them as compact and 

 solid as possible; and if the maggot or worm has already 

 generated, some fine flour lime strewed over it will destroy 

 them, and he of much service in the fermentation. These 

 balls, if properly preserved, will be verv heavy; but if worm- 

 eaten, they will be very light, arid of little value. Thev are theii 

 to be replaced on the hr.rdles, and turned, not being suffered 

 lo touch each other, until a month or more after the whole 

 that is intended fur one fermenting couch is gathered in, 

 ground, and balled, and often 'Jiitil the hot weather of sum- 

 mer is past, to render the offensive operation of turnincr it 

 less disagreeable, and not so apt to overheat; and though 

 temperature herein is nccesuarv, yet a certain degree of heat 

 must be attained, before it is in proper condition for the 

 dyer's use. This is easily distinguished by a change of 



• In a dry place, if these leaves remain a fortnight, l;e!n_^ occasionaltr 

 turned, tl<t-y will b-oon^e more adhesive, aiid have. icis juices to squeeze out 

 ia baliii'.g. Tiie balls muit be compact. 



smell— 



