INDIGO 897 



The cultivation of indigo in Central America has fallen off very much of late years. 

 Nicaragua formerly exported annually about 5,000 bales of 150 Ibs. each. At present 

 the export probably does not exceed 1,000 or 2,000 bales. Under the government of 

 Spain, the state of San Salvador produced from 8,000 to 10,000 bales annually. A 

 piece of ground equal to two acres generally produces from 100 to 120 Ibs. at a 

 cost of not far from 30 to 40 dollars. 



There is an indigenous biennial plant, abounding in many parts of Central America, 

 which produces indigo of a very superior quality, but gives less than half the weight 

 which is afforded by the cultivated species. The Indigofera disperma is the species 

 employed in cultivation. It attains its highest perfection in the richest soils. It 

 will grow, however, upon almost any soil, and is very little affected by drought or 

 by superabundant rains. In planting it, the ground is perfectly cleared, usually 

 burnt over, and divided with an implement resembling a hoe into little trenches, 2 

 or 3 inches in depth, and 12 or 14 apart, at the bottom of which the seeds are strewn 

 by hand, and lightly covered with earth. A bushel of seed answers for 4 or 5 acres 

 of land. In Nicaragua it is usually planted towards the close of the dry season in 

 April or May, and attains its perfection for the purpose of manufacture in from two 

 and a half to three months. During this time it requires to be carefully weeded, to 

 prevent any mixture of herbs, which would injure the quality of the indigo. When 

 it becomes covered with a kind of greenish farina, it is in a fit state to be cut. This 

 is done with knives at a little distance above the root, so as to leave some of the 

 branches, called in the West Indies 'ratoons,' for a second growth, which is also in 

 readiness to be cut, in from six to eight weeks after. The crop of the first year is 

 usually small, that of the second is esteemed the best, although that of the third is 

 hardly inferior. It is said that some fields have been gathered for ten consecutive 

 years without being re-sown, the fallen seed obviating the necessity of new plantings. 



After the plant is cut, it is bound in little bundles, carried to the vat, and placed in 

 layers in the upper or larger one called the steeper (mojadora). This vat holds from 

 1,000 to 10,000 gallons, according to the requirements of the estate. Boards loaded 

 with weights are then placed upon the plants, and enough water let on to cover the 

 whole, which is now left to steep or ferment. The rapidity of this process depends 

 much upon the state of the weather and the condition of the plant. Sometimes it is 

 accomplished in 6 or 8 hours, but generally requires from 15 to 20. The proper length 

 of time is determined by the colour of the saturated water ; but the great secret is to 

 check the fermentation at the proper point, for upon this, in a great degree, depends 

 the quality of the product. Without disturbing the plant, the water is now drawn off 

 by cocks into the lower vat or 'beater' (ffolpeadoro), where it is strongly and inces- 

 santly beaten, in the smaller estates with paddles by hand, in the larger by wheels 

 turned by horse- or water-power. This is continued until it changes from the green 

 colour, which it at first displays, to a blue, and until the colouring matter, or flocculse, 

 shows a disposition to curdle or subside. This is sometimes hastened by the infusion 

 of certain herbs. It is then allowed to settle, and the water is carefully drawn off. 

 The pulp granulates, at which time it resembles a fine soft clay ; after which it is 

 put into bags to drain, and then spread on cloths in the sun to dry. When properly 

 dried it is carefully selected according to its quality, and packed in hide cases, 150 Ibs. 

 each, called serons. The quality has not less than 9 gradations, the best being of the 

 highest figure. From 6 to 9 are called flores, and are the best ; from 3 to 6 cartes ; from 

 1 to 3, inclusive, corbes. The two poorer qualities do not pay expenses. A mansana 

 of 100 yards square produces on an average about one ceroon at each cutting. After 

 the plant has passed through the vat, it is required by law that it shall be dried and 

 burnt ; because in decomposing it generates by the million an annoying insect called 

 the ' indigo fly.' 



Burmese Indigo. The political agent at the Court of Mandalay furnishes an 

 interesting report on the cultivation of indigo in the territories of the King of Burmah. 

 The manufacture of indigo in Upper Burmah on any scale, we are told, appears to have 

 been first commenced in the year 1860, when His Majesty the King of Ava procured 

 Bengal workmen from Calcutta, and had a factory erected in the city of Ameerapoora, 

 under the superintendence of some Armenian gentlemen who had had experience 

 in the indigo-factories in India. Subsequently four other factories were established : 

 one at Shayet-Khan, of five vats, a short distance above Mandalay ; one to the north- 

 east of the Mandalay hill, of three vats ; one about 12 miles to the west of Sagine, of 

 ten vats ; and one, on a small scale inside the Palace, in one of His Majesty's gardens. 

 The agricultural subjects of His Majesty's within the capital and its suburbs are 

 required to allot a third share of their land for the purpose of sowing indigo, wherever 

 the land is found to be suitable within the vicinity of the factory ; and in consideration 

 of this, the land-tax is remitted on the remaining two-thirds of the land ; but the 

 cultivators have to give the out-turn of the indigo crop to His Majesty, and receive no 



VOL. II. 3 M 



